Reports: OF George Springer interested in trade to Red Sox, team eyeing INF Xavier Edwards

The Boston Red Sox have been quiet on the MLB trade market ahead of Monday’s deal deadline outside of last weekend’s acquisition of infielder Curtis Mead.

In the rumor mill, though, things are beginning to heat up.

In addition to several other infielders and catchers like Colorado Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, the Red Sox are reportedly linked to Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer and Miami Marlins infielder Xavier Edwards.

Here’s the lowdown on those two players.

INF Xavier Edwards, Marlins

Xavier Edwards, 26, fits the infielder profile the Red Sox are reportedly interested in trading for. He joins middle infielders like CJ Abrams, Otto Lopez, and Zach Neto in the handful of guys linked to Boston in trade rumors.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Edwards “has the Sox’ attention.”

“The Boston Red Sox, after losing trade acquisition Curtis Mead to a fractured left wrist in his first game with the club, are looking for additional infield help,” Rosenthal wrote on Friday. “While Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez is of interest, another Marlins infielder, Xavier Edwards, also has the Sox’s attention.”

Edwards is a switch hitter who has played second base for the Marlins this year, but has plenty of past big-league shortstop experience. Rosenthal noted Boston “seems to prefer” to land a shortstop. 

Edwards played SS for two years before being moved to second this season in favor of Lopez. He’s committed six errors at 2B (.986 fielding percentage).

Since debuting in 2023, Edwards has never been a power hitter; he’s only hit 16 total home runs in 349 career games entering Friday. He’s much more a player who hits for average with a low strikeout rate.

In 110 games, Edwards is slashing .292/.272/.401 with a .774 OPS. He walks 11.9 percent (59) and strikes out 13.6 percent (63) of the time. He has 39 RBI and 51 runs on the year, 14 doubles, and six triples and home runs each.

Edwards is also a base-stealer. He’s snagged 18 bags on 21 attempts.

Contractually, he’s arbitration-eligible beginning in 2027.

If Boston is looking to find a permanent solution at either 2B or SS amid Marcelo Mayer’s forearm injury, Trevor Story’s sports hernia, and the merry-go-round of guys they’ve slotted into the position lately, Edwards could be a logical fit.

OF/DH George Springer, Blue Jays

The Red Sox are reportedly interested in acquiring a familiar foe, and there’s interest on the player’s side, too.

Blue Jays veteran outfielder George Springer, a four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger, would not block a trade to Boston, according to CBS Sports‘ Julian McWilliams.

“One destination that interests Springer, according to a source familiar with his thinking, is Boston,” McWilliams wrote on Friday.

“The Red Sox have interest, but only under the right circumstances,” McWilliams noted.

Springer, 36, who played for the Houston Astros from 2014-2020 (2017 World Series champion and MVP) before signing with Toronto in 2021, thought the Red Sox would have been interested in adding him as a free agent in 2020, per McWilliams.

“It’s crazy they didn’t make an offer,” a source told McWilliams. “He loved hitting there.”

Springer, a righty, has historically dominated at Fenway Park. In 51 games, he’s slashing .323/.400/.540 with a .940 OPS and 10 home runs. He hit his 300th career home run over the Green Monster last month.

Against the Red Sox in general, the results are the same. In 97 total games, he’s averaging .306 with 21 homers and 67 RBI.

Springer’s having a down year on a disappointing Blue Jays squad. He’s batting .234 with a .720 OPS, 12 homers, and 34 RBI in 78 games. He owns a 9.9 walk rate and 18.6 strikeout rate.

He missed much of April due to a toe fracture, which could be impacting his performance this year.

Springer has lengthy experience at all three outfield positions, but has primarily been the Blue Jays’ DH this season.

He’s earning $24.1 million this year and is due to hit free agency in 2027.

Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.