Red Sox Already Shopping Pitcher Acquired in Rafael Devers Deal

The Boston Red Sox have had an eventful offseason, focused heavily on overhauling their pitching staff, and they appear to be in a position few teams find themselves in—having too much pitching depth. With high-profile acquisitions like Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Johan Oviedo, the Red Sox have built a surplus of arms, prompting them to explore trade options as they look to fine-tune their roster for 2026.

According to reports from MLB Trade Rumors and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Boston has already initiated trade discussions involving multiple pitchers. Among the names being considered are Brayan Bello, Patrick Sandoval, and—most notably—Jordan Hicks, a reliever the team acquired in last summer’s blockbuster trade for star third baseman Rafael Devers.

A Pitching Surplus in Boston

Boston’s pitching staff has been revamped with the addition of several high-caliber pitchers, and now the Red Sox find themselves with more arms than they need. After targeting pitching improvements in the offseason, the team is now in a position to make moves, particularly to alleviate the pressure on their projected competitive balance tax. With room to maneuver, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is looking to reallocate resources, including by shedding some salary, to address other roster needs, such as upgrading the infield, adding bullpen depth, or creating more flexibility in-season.

The most notable pitcher on the trade block is Jordan Hicks. His presence in the Devers trade was primarily as financial ballast, rather than as a long-term asset, which puts him squarely in the sights of potential trades.

Why Jordan Hicks Is on the Block

Jordan Hicks, who was acquired from the San Francisco Giants as part of the Devers trade, hasn’t lived up to expectations, which makes him a prime candidate for a trade. Hicks had a strong start to his career as a dominant reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals, which led the Giants to sign him to a four-year, $44 million deal in hopes of converting him into a starter. However, this experiment quickly unraveled, and Hicks returned to a bullpen role before landing on the injured list.

His struggles carried over into 2025, splitting time between San Francisco and Boston. Hicks finished the season with an ERA north of 6.90 and failed to find a consistent role in either the rotation or bullpen. Despite having impressive velocity and a ground-ball heavy approach, Hicks’ performance didn’t match his potential.

With $24 million still owed over the next two seasons—including $12 million in 2026—the Red Sox are now exploring ways to move on from Hicks’ contract. Although Hicks’ struggles have dampened his trade value, the Red Sox may be willing to eat a significant portion of his remaining salary to clear the payroll and create flexibility for other areas of the roster.

How a Hicks Trade Fits into the Red Sox’s Bigger Picture

The Red Sox aren’t just looking to move Hicks in isolation; they are also exploring potential deals involving other pitchers like Brayan Bello and Patrick Sandoval. Each of these pitchers presents different strategic values to the team.

Bello, a young and controllable asset, is still considered a promising mid-rotation arm for the future. He represents a key part of the team’s long-term rotation, and trading him would signal a departure from that future outlook. Sandoval, meanwhile, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and offers upside, but with that comes an element of uncertainty. His potential is intriguing, but his rehab status makes him a more risky piece to move.

In contrast, Hicks is the most straightforward piece to move. The Red Sox already have depth in the bullpen, and their rotation is well-stocked, with additional depth at Triple-A, including Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison. Dealing Hicks wouldn’t weaken the team’s strength in pitching; rather, it would streamline their roster and free up valuable resources.

Moving Hicks could also address the Red Sox’s remaining needs. As the team continues to look for upgrades in the infield and at catcher, shedding Hicks’ contract would free up enough space to make a more aggressive push for these positions. Additionally, it could provide flexibility for midseason moves, allowing Boston to address roster gaps as the season progresses.

What’s Next for Hicks and the Red Sox?

As spring training approaches, the Red Sox are actively exploring trade opportunities, though no deal appears imminent. The team is well aware that they didn’t acquire Jordan Hicks to be a centerpiece of their future rotation or bullpen. Instead, they acquired him as a financial asset, providing them with options. Now, as the offseason draws to a close, it seems clear that the Red Sox are testing the market to see which move would make the most sense for their long-term success.

While Hicks’ time in Boston may not have lived up to expectations, the team’s willingness to explore trades and shed his contract speaks to their commitment to improving their overall roster. Whether or not a deal is reached before the start of the 2026 season, one thing is certain: the Red Sox are working diligently to create a more balanced and flexible roster that positions them for success in the upcoming season. Moving Hicks could be just the first step in this process.

The Boston Red Sox’s decision to explore trade options for Jordan Hicks shows how far the team has come in its offseason overhaul. While Hicks hasn’t lived up to expectations, his departure could provide the necessary payroll flexibility to address other areas of the roster, making the team stronger heading into 2026. Whether it’s through trading Hicks or other pitchers, the Red Sox are positioning themselves to be a serious contender in the upcoming season.