After finalizing a major free agent acquisition by signing former Philadelphia Phillies left handed starter Ranger Suárez to a five year, $130 million deal, the Boston Red Sox sent a clear signal that improving their pitching staff was only one piece of a much larger organizational puzzle. While Suárez’s arrival immediately strengthens the rotation, Boston’s front office has emphasized that the club’s renewed commitment to run prevention extends far beyond what happens on the mound.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow made that philosophy explicit when speaking to reporters earlier this week. According to Breslow, focusing exclusively on pitching would be an incomplete approach to reducing runs allowed. Instead, the Red Sox are aiming for a more holistic transformation one that prioritizes defensive efficiency, positioning, and overall roster balance alongside improved pitching depth.
“We tend to get caught up in the pitching portion of run prevention,” Breslow explained, as quoted by NESN.com, “but there are other key components as well defense being the most obvious. It’s really important that we improve our defense, particularly our infield defense.”
Those remarks immediately fueled speculation about whether Boston might pursue additional roster upgrades via trade, especially players capable of making a significant defensive impact in the middle of the diamond. One particularly intriguing scenario has already gained traction within the Red Sox media ecosystem.
A Bold Trade Idea Emerges
On a recent episode of the popular Red Sox podcast “Play Tessie,” which is affiliated with the team’s flagship radio station WEEI, the hosts laid out an ambitious trade proposal designed to address Boston’s infield defense in dramatic fashion. The idea centers on acquiring Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, one of the best defensive players at his position in all of Major League Baseball.
The proposal, put forward by podcast co host Sammy James, would unquestionably represent a major shift in Boston’s long term planning. While the move could instantly elevate the Red Sox defensively, it would come at the cost of several promising young players and a substantial financial commitment.
Still, from a pure baseball standpoint, the logic is clear. If the Red Sox are serious about run prevention as a multi layered concept, few available players could impact that goal more directly than Tovar.
Why Ezequiel Tovar?
At just 24 years old, Tovar has already established himself as an elite defensive shortstop. During the 2024 season, he captured the National League Gold Glove Award at the position, a distinction that underscored both his consistency and his advanced defensive metrics.
In fact, Tovar stood alone among National League shortstops in 2024 as the only player at the position to post double digit totals in both Defensive Runs Saved (10) and Outs Above Average (15). Those numbers place him firmly among the league’s most impactful defenders, capable of turning batted balls into outs at an elite rate and saving his pitchers valuable runs over the course of a season.
That defensive excellence is precisely what has made him so appealing to analysts and fans evaluating Boston’s roster construction. The Red Sox have cycled through various infield alignments in recent seasons, and defensive inconsistency particularly on the left side has often been cited as a weakness.
Where Would Tovar Play?
One of the most immediate questions raised by the “Play Tessie” hosts was how Tovar would fit defensively if he were acquired by Boston. Would he take over shortstop outright, or would the team attempt to shift him to another position?
“If Tovar comes to Boston, he’s playing shortstop immediately, right?” co host Nat Gordon asked during the episode. “You’re not playing him at second, are you?”
James acknowledged that shortstop would be the most logical option but left the door open to positional flexibility.
“I’d put him at short,” James said. “But if the Red Sox put him at second, I don’t think it’s a big deal. He’s a stud defensively, and he can move back to short if needed. It sounds like they want to give Trevor Story shortstop for whatever reason.”
That comment reflects an ongoing debate within the Red Sox fan base about Trevor Story’s long term role. While Story has experience at shortstop, injuries and defensive regression have raised questions about whether he remains the best option there moving forward. Adding a defender of Tovar’s caliber would give Boston flexibility and potentially allow Story to shift to a position that places less physical strain on his body.
More Than Just a Glove
While Tovar’s defense is his calling card, he is far from a one dimensional player. He also brings legitimate offensive production, which makes him even more attractive as a potential trade target.
During the 2024 campaign, Tovar posted one of the most productive offensive seasons of his young career. He slugged 26 home runs, demonstrating above average power for a middle infielder, and led the National League in doubles with 45. Overall, he finished the year with a .763 OPS, a solid mark that reflects a blend of power and extra base hit ability.
Importantly, those numbers did not come solely from the hitter friendly environment of Coors Field. While Denver is often associated with inflated offensive statistics, Tovar’s home road splits suggest his production is sustainable elsewhere.
He hit 13 home runs at Coors Field and 13 on the road, showing no reliance on altitude for his power output. His home OPS of .773 was only marginally higher than his .754 OPS away from Denver, reinforcing the idea that his bat would translate well to a more neutral or even pitcher friendly ballpark like Fenway Park.
From Venezuela to the Big Leagues
Tovar’s rise to prominence has been years in the making. The Rockies originally signed him in 2015 out of Venezuela, when he was just 16 years old, for a $800,000 signing bonus. Over time, he developed into one of the organization’s most reliable everyday players, combining athleticism, defensive instincts, and improving offensive skills.
By 2024, he had not only become the cornerstone of Colorado’s infield but also one of the league’s premier shortstops. That status, of course, is why acquiring him would require a significant return.
The Proposed Cost
According to the “Play Tessie” hosts, the Red Sox would need to surrender three prospects from their top 30, as ranked by MLB Pipeline, in order to pry Tovar away from Colorado.
The first piece in the proposed package is Tyler Uberstine, a 26 year old right handed pitcher selected by Boston in the 19th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Uberstine is currently ranked No. 29 in the Red Sox system and is described by Pipeline as being “on the verge of reaching Fenway Park.” While not viewed as a frontline starter, he represents near term pitching depth that could help a rebuilding club like the Rockies relatively quickly.
The second prospect is significantly younger and potentially more impactful long term. Juan Valera, ranked No. 12 in Boston’s system, is a 19 year old right handed pitcher signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 for just a $45,000 bonus. Despite that modest signing figure, Valera has rapidly risen in prospect rankings.
Baseball America has already ranked him as the No. 5 Red Sox prospect for 2026, and the publication describes him as a legitimate “head turner.” His inclusion in any trade package would represent a major concession by Boston, given his upside and developmental trajectory.
The third and final piece is Justin Gonzalez, a physically imposing 19 year old outfielder listed at 6 foot 4 and 210 pounds. Gonzalez is praised by scouts for his offensive potential, with MLB Pipeline highlighting his “plus raw power with more to come.” While still raw, his size and power projection make him a high ceiling prospect exactly the type rebuilding teams covet.
The Financial Commitment
Beyond the prospect cost, acquiring Tovar would also mean assuming the majority of his existing contract. The shortstop is currently signed to a seven year, $63.5 million deal with the Rockies, and the Red Sox would be responsible for all but $4.2 million of that remaining salary.
From a financial standpoint, that contract is relatively team friendly, especially for a player entering his prime years and providing elite defense at a premium position. Still, it represents another long term commitment layered on top of the Suárez signing and other recent investments.
A High-Risk, High-Reward Move
If Boston were to seriously pursue a trade for Ezequiel Tovar, it would mark one of the boldest roster moves of the Breslow era. The Red Sox would be betting that elite defense up the middle combined with improved pitching can fundamentally change the team’s run prevention profile and push them back into serious contention.
The cost would be steep, both in terms of future assets and payroll flexibility. But the payoff could be immediate a Gold Glove caliber shortstop in his mid 20s, locked into a long term contract, anchoring the infield for years to come.
Whether the Red Sox ultimately pursue such a deal remains to be seen. But as Breslow made clear, the organization’s vision goes well beyond adding arms. If Boston truly commits to defense as a cornerstone of its next competitive window, conversations like this one may only be the beginning.
