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Interim Manager Chad Tracy of the Boston Red Sox, left and Interim Third Base Coach Chad Epperson #81 look out over the field before their game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a very slow start to begin the 2026 MLB season. That slow start cost manager Alex Cora his job.

At this point in time, the Red Sox hold a 14-21 record. They have dug themselves a hole, but there is still plenty of time for Boston to turn things around.

It’s quite possible that the team will choose to be aggressive in trying to build back to being a World Series contender quickly. That could lead to the Red Sox being open to swinging big ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline.

Keeping that in mind, Boston has been connected as a potential trade fit for an elite superstar slugger.

Red Sox Emerge as Possible Trade Fit for Yordan Alvarez

FanSided’s Chris Landers has named the Red Sox as the top potential suitor for Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez.

“If Alvarez is available, Boston would pretty much have to make a serious run at him. He’s exactly the sort of big bopper this lineup desperately needs, and he’s under team control through 2028 on a pretty affordable deal,” Landers wrote.

“Plus, the Red Sox farm system has as much pitching depth as anybody this side of the Dodgers, which is exactly what the Astros would be looking for in an Alvarez deal. Throw in a lefty-swinging outfielder like Jarren Duran in addition to a couple bright young arms, and maybe you’ve got something.”

Alvarez would almost instantly become the face of the Boston franchise. He would also replace the star bat the Red Sox lost when they traded away Rafael Devers.

Yordan Alvarez Is Exactly the Kind of Star Boston Needs

So far this season, the 28-year-old superstar has played in 36 games for the Astros. He has hit 12 home runs to go along with 27 RBI and a slash line of .333/.438/.667 with a 1.105 OPS.

For a team that badly needs a big bat, Alvarez would be one of the best possible targets.

Last season in Houston, Alvarez played in just 48 games. But during the 2024 season, he hit 35 home runs and drove in 86 RBI in 147 games. He also produced a .308/.392/.567 slash line that year.

Whether or not the Red Sox will actually pursue Alvarez remains a question mark. The Astros would also have to be willing to move on from him.

Only time will tell, but the idea of Boston trading for Alvarez makes a lot of sense. It would be the kind of move that would help turn around the morale of the Red Sox fan base.