Purple Sox have reportedly mentioned buying and selling reliever Jordan Hicks

Starters Brayan Bello and Patrick Sandoval have additionally reportedly come up in commerce talks.

Jordan Hicks had a dismal first season with the Purple Sox after being dealt to Boston in June. Jaiden Tripi/Getty Pictures

Spring coaching is ready to start in a few weeks, however the Purple Sox nonetheless seem open to creating an impactful commerce.

Boston has obtained curiosity in its pitching depth, as has been the rumored case all offseason. Nonetheless, “nothing is imminent,” however the Purple Sox have been “lively in commerce talks for an infielder,” The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reported Friday. Among the many pitchers mentioned are starters Brayan Bello and Patrick Sandoval, in addition to reliever Jordan Hicks.

Bello has reportedly been on the commerce block all winter. Boston was reportedly “buying” the 26-year-old as of final month, whose upside and team-friendly contract can be interesting to any workforce available in the market for an arm. Bello is getting into the third yr of his six-year, $55 million deal.

Sandoval, 29, has but to pitch for the Purple Sox since becoming a member of the group in late 2024 as a consequence of a torn UCL. He’ll possible pitch this season.

Hicks, 29, who the Purple Sox acquired in final summer time’s surprising Rafael Devers commerce with the Giants, had a less-than-memorable 2025 marketing campaign together with his new workforce. He posted an 8.20 ERA in 21 appearances earlier than his season led to Sept. as a consequence of proper shoulder tendinitis. Hicks will enter the second half of his four-year contract this season; his wage will soar from $7.2 million in 2025 to $12.5 million in 2026.

Boston has 10 potential starters on its lively roster and eight aid pitchers. Their major-league pitching depth is uncharacteristically in depth and can be attractive to suitors seeking to deal an infielder.

Infielders the Purple Sox have been related to this offseason embody Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and third baseman Matt Shaw, Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, and free agent 3B Eugenio Suarez. Boston definitely has a necessity for an influence 2B, a place that has been a merry-go-round of various gamers since Dustin Pedroia’s tenure. Equally, a 3B that may even semi-replace Alex Bregman (and Devers) would do the membership good.

Nonetheless, in keeping with the New York Put up‘s Jon Heyman, the Purple Sox are making ready for the chance that they don’t purchase an infielder and have to work with the gamers they have already got. Heyman reported Thursday that the workforce may begin Marcelo Mayer at 3B and platoon Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton at 2B.

If Boston’s offensive aspect of its roster stays as is come Opening Day, a number of gamers in its lineup might want to outperform expectations if it needs to repeat, or transcend, final season’s wild-card collection exit. Rookie phenom Roman Anthony lit the league on hearth throughout his 71 video games in 2025, however his season was reduce brief as a consequence of an indirect harm. Whether or not he’s the identical dominant batter proper out of the gate and if he’s rusty stays to be seen.

To not point out, Anthony will possible need to play like an All-Star or higher if it comes right down to him having to hold the membership offensively.

With that being mentioned, it’s clear that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has a imaginative and prescient for the 2026 Purple Sox: run prevention and improved protection. Pitching acquisitions like Ranger Suarez and Sonny Grey to pitch behind ace Garrett Crochet within the rotation solidifies that run prevention side. The addition of first baseman Willson Contreras ought to assist support Boston’s long-error-prone infield, plus the hope that one other yr of a wholesome Trevor Story at shortstop and the pure improvement of children like Hamilton and Mayer will assist decrease its latest league-high error totals.