The Boston Red Sox entered the offseason intent on overhauling their pitching staff, and in many ways, they’ve succeeded. With additions like Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Johan Oviedo, Boston now finds itself in a position few teams occupy this time of year: excess.
That surplus has led to behind-the-scenes action. According to reporting from MLB Trade Rumors and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, the Red Sox have already engaged in trade discussions involving multiple pitchers on their roster. Among the names mentioned are Brayan Bello, Patrick Sandoval, and one reliever whose situation stands out for different reasons—a pitcher acquired as part of last summer’s blockbuster Rafael Devers trade.
The common thread is money and flexibility. Boston’s projected competitive balance tax figure remains elevated, and while the club has room to maneuver, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appears intent on reallocating resources rather than simply adding more payroll. Moving one of these contracts could create breathing room for infield upgrades, bullpen depth, or in-season flexibility.
Why Jordan Hicks Is Already on the Trade Block
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The most notable name surfacing in trade talks is Jordan Hicks, whom the Red Sox acquired from the Giants as financial ballast in the Devers deal. That context matters. Hicks wasn’t brought in as a long-term piece so much as a movable asset attached to a much larger transaction.
Hicks’ recent performance gives Boston little incentive to hold firm. After an early-career run as a dominant reliever in St. Louis, the Giants signed him to a four-year, $44 million deal with plans to stretch him into a starter. That experiment unraveled quickly. While Hicks dazzled early in 2024, his effectiveness cratered as the season wore on, and he eventually returned to bullpen work before landing on the injured list.
His struggles carried into 2025. Between San Francisco and Boston, Hicks finished with an ERA north of 6.90 and never found a consistent role. While his velocity and ground-ball profile remain intriguing, the results haven’t followed. With $24 million still owed over the next two seasons—including $12 million in 2026—Hicks represents a contract the Red Sox would gladly soften or shed.
MLBTR’s reporting suggests Boston has already floated Hicks in discussions, though any deal would likely require the Red Sox to eat a significant portion of the remaining money. Even so, that may be a price worth paying if it unlocks flexibility elsewhere on the roster.
How a Hicks Deal Fits Boston’s Bigger Picture
The Red Sox aren’t shopping Hicks in isolation. According to The Athletic, Bello and Sandoval have also been discussed, though each carries different strategic value. Bello is young, controllable, and still viewed as a viable mid-rotation arm. Sandoval, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, offers upside but comes with uncertainty.
Hicks, by contrast, is the cleanest lever to pull. Boston already has multiple bullpen options, and its rotation depth extends to Triple-A, with Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison waiting in reserve. Trading Hicks wouldn’t weaken a strength—it would clarify it.
More importantly, moving his contract could help Boston address lingering needs. The Red Sox continue to explore infield upgrades and catching depth, and Breslow has emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive quality. Creating payroll space now could allow Boston to act decisively as opportunities arise.
Nothing appears imminent, but the direction is clear. The Red Sox didn’t acquire Jordan Hicks to build around him. They acquired him to give themselves options. With spring training approaching, they’re already testing the market to see which option makes the most sense.
Red Sox Already Shopping Pitcher Acquired in Rafael Devers Deal