Since today is the day to talk Marlins trades it seems, here are two I'd like to see the Sox pursue. Listed in (strong) order of preference.
Miami gets Marcelo Mayer, Jarren Duran, Miguel Bleis and Josh Winckowski (BTV gives this a 109 value).
Boston gets Jesus Luzardo, takes on AGarcia.
Why do the Marlins do this?
1) It's a massive overpay in terms of value - which I think the Red Sox will need to massively overpay in terms of value if they want a young cost controlled starter since they don't have pitching prospects of any consequence to give up. For what it's worth, BTV rejects the trade (and the Red Sox are giving up, according to BTV, 3x the value).
2) As
@Rovin Romine mentioned, they were a WC team last year, however Alcantara is out this year with TJS and they have a desperate need for offense. Duran becomes pretty quickly one of their best offensive players and should be at least a capable LF moving off center (I'd assume). They also were looking for BP help last year (and I'm sure would be again) and Wicnkowski gives them someone in there for cheap with some upside. They also get a top 15 prospect in baseball.
3) It also leaves them with a still pretty good rotation of Perez, Garrett, Cabrera, Pivetta and Max Meyer coming back off TJS. Pivetta helps them bridge the gap to Alcantara returning next year.
4) They get out from the rest of the Garcia deal, and the Marlins are nothing if not cheap, so I have to assume this holds some appeal to them.
Why does Boston do this?
Jesus Luzardo.
As an aside, I don't necessarily think the Marlins would even go for this, but I think the ostensible value is so high, they'd at least consider it. Assuming they aren't willing to take a deal like this (and Seattle isn't for Gilbert and Chi aren't for Cease) then I'd pivot to:
Miami gets Wilyer Abreu, Nick Pivetta, Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and $10m.
Boston gets Max Meyer
Why do the Marlins do this?
1) Again, massive overpay, and the deal is rejected (Boston is giving up 2x the value relative to BTV).
2) The Marlins still need offense, and Abreu is a good fit for them as he is under control for the next 6 seasons, and should be able to fit into a corner OF spot for them.
3) Gives the Fish a rotation of Luzardo, Perez, Garrett, Pivetta and Cabrera, which is still pretty darn good, and still bridges the gap for them to Alcantara coming back.
4) Allows them to have a pretty good bullpen to go with it, with in Jansen, Scott, Martin and they get to do it relatively cheaply because they're the Marlins.
Why does Boston do this?
Meyer (pre TJS) was one of the top pitching prospects in the game and on the cusp of reaching the majors (got hurt in his 2nd game). He would easily be the best pitching prospect in Boston and it wouldn't be close. The Sox are two top half of the rotation starters from being a playoff contender, but if they don't get two top half of the rotation starters, they're probably going to win about 75 games. Based on the Red Sox having a ton of young players and prospects at middle infield and OF positions, the pitching prospects stink.
Meyer should much more valuable to the 2026+ Red Sox than Abreu; Pivetta, Jansen and Martin would be gone after next year anyway.