MLB Rumors: Red Sox Targeting Former All-Star For Shortstop

Are the Boston Red Sox questioning whether Trevor Story can handle shortstop duties as the replacement for Xander Bogaerts? A new report suggests that they're considering a trade for the Miami Marlins' Joey Wendle.

The Athletic's Chad Jennings says that's a name to watch as the Red Sox try to re-shape their shortstop position post-Bogaerts.

One name that’s come up in trade talks, persons involved in the discussions told The Athletic, is Marlins infielder Joey Wendle. The asking price has been high up to this point, but the Red Sox feel that a left-handed middle infielder would be a good fit, and the smaller-market Marlins should have reason to move a 32-year-old who’s owed a projected $5.4 million in his final year of arbitration. 

Wendle was an All-Star in 2021 for the Tampa Bay Rays, playing mostly third base, but also has dabbled in shortstop a bit the last few years, including 34 games there for the Marlins this past season. 

The 32-year-old has a career .271 average, with a .722 OPS. He finished 4th in Rookie of the Year balloting for the Rays in 2018. 

As Jennings noted, the Red Sox "don’t necessarily see Wendle as an everyday solution" at short, but they are looking at him as another piece among a puzzle of possibilities.

“We have good options with the guys in-house,” chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. “But if we want to make the club stronger overall, we’re going to need to keep adding.”

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports