MLB Trade Rumors: 5-Player Blockbuster Would Send Tatis Jr. to Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox made a big run at superstar Juan Soto in free agency this winter. As we all know by now, he chose the insane $765 million offer of the NY Mets. Boston did make one significant trade, however, landing starting pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. Could another big trade be on the horizon to get their superstar talent?

The BoSox are hoping to boost their offense, hence their connection to the likes of free agent Alex Bregman. But Sports Illustrated's Patrick McAvoy says Boston should aim higher, and has proposed a wild 5-player blockbuster trade that would bring superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. to Beantown with a huge package going back to San Diego. His proposal looks like this:

Boston Red Sox receive:

Fernando Tatis Jr., OF

San Diego Padres receive:

Wilyer Abreu, OF
Kutter Crawford, RHP
Franklin Arias, 2B/SS (Red Sox #5 prospect per Baseball America)
Richard Fitts, RHP (Red Sox #9 prospect per BA)

The Red Sox haven't had a true superstar, generational player since Mookie Betts left after the 2019 season. Yes, Rafael Devers is darn good, as was Xander Boegarts. But Tatis is on another level—when healthy and on the field of course. He missed the entire 2022 season due to injury and a PED suspension. And although he hasn't been quite the same player since returning, he was on pace for a 30-HR season last year had he not missed two months to a stress reaction in his leg.

He came back in September and blasted seven homers with .908 OPS. He had a 1.062 OPS in June before his injury.

His 162-game averages are 40 HR, 29 SB, .883 OPS, 140 OPS+.

As for the Padres, it's a huge package, as befits the return for a superstar. Abreu won a Gold Glove in the outfield in his rookie season and finished 6th in ROY balloting. He posted an impressive .781 OPS and 114 OPS+ for a first-year player.

Crawford earned himself a full-time role in the Red Sox rotation, starting 33 games with a 4.36 ERA and 175 strikeouts. He did have a bit of a home run problem, surrendering a league-leading 34. Nevertheless, he's established himself as a big league starter.

The Friars would also get two of the Red Sox's top 10 prospects. The 19-year-old Arias displayed Gold Glove-type defense at shortstop and second base while putting up an .896 OPS and stealing 35 bases in 87 games at two A-Ball levels. Fitts, the right-hander, actually made his major league debut last season and gave an enticing taste of what he can do, posting a 1.74 ERA in four starts for Boston.