A Red Sox-A trade to dramatically improve Boston’s DH offense

The Boston Red Sox currently hold a 43-39 record, which, while not stellar, positions them for a potential postseason push. According to FanGraphs, the Red Sox have a 31.5 percent chance of making the playoffs. Those odds could improve significantly with the right purchases.

On the other hand, the Oakland Athletics, with a record of 30-55, are looking at a long rebuild. Trading a valuable outfielder/designated hitter like Brent Rooker could speed up their rebuilding process.

The Redskins have been hurt by injuries to key players such as outfielders Triston Casas and Trevor Story and pitchers Lucas Giolito, Garrett Whitlock and Liam Hendriks. The addition of Brent Rooker to their lineup could provide much needed offensive support.

Brent Rooker, a 29-year-old outfielder/designated hitter, didn’t get a full-time shot in the majors until 2023. He quickly proved his worth, becoming an All-Star with the Athletics. In 2024, he continued to shine and remains under team control through the 2027 season, making him a valuable long-term asset for any team’s postseason.

In 2023, Rooker played in 137 games, had 526 plate appearances, scored 61 runs, hit 20 doubles, 30 home runs, and had 69 RBIs. He posted a slash line of .246/.329/.488 with an OPS of .817 and an OPS+ of 128. In 2024, Rooker played 69 games, had 285 plate appearances, scored 29 runs, hit 15 doubles, 15. home runs and had 47 RBI. His slash line is .264/.340/.516 with an OPS of .856 and an OPS+ of 147.

The Athletics need minor league assets, and the Red Sox have prospects to offer. Two potential trade pieces include right-handed pitcher Luis Perales and outfielder Blaze Jordan, ranked No. 9 and No. 19, respectively, by MLB Pipeline.

Luis Perales, a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, has shown steady progress in the minor leagues. He has performed well at both the High-A and Double-A levels and could soon advance to Triple-A, making him a promising future major league pitcher.

In 2024, Perales has a combined 2-2 record with a 2.94 ERA over 33.2 innings pitched. He started nine games, striking out 56 batters, with a WHIP of 1.307. In Double-A, his ERA is even lower at 1.23 over 7.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately, he recently underwent Tommy John surgery, but for a long-term project like Oakland, he might fit their timeline as he recovers and hopefully returns to dominant form.

Blaze Jordan, a 21-year-old outfielder, is known for his solid defense and keen eye at the plate. He has reduced his strikeouts while maintaining a high walk rate, showing immense potential in the minor leagues. He’s not far from making it to the major leagues.

In 2024 at Double-A, Jordan played 41 games with 174 plate appearances. He scored 16 runs, hit 11 doubles, five home runs and had 31 RBIs with a .277/.328/.453 slash line. Over his four-season minor league career, Jordan played in 311 games with 1,334 plate appearances. He scored 162 runs, hit 81 doubles, 41 home runs and had 211 RBIs with a career slash line of .293/.354/.473.

A trade for Brent Rooker could significantly strengthen the Red Sox lineup, addressing their pressing need for offensive support amid injuries to key players. Meanwhile, Athletics would receive promising prospects in Perales and Jordan, helping to rebuild them. This trade offers a win-win solution, boosting Boston’s postseason chances while giving Oakland valuable assets for the future.