Red Sox could have perfect trade deadline target after Athletics' failed contract extension attempt

The Boston Red Sox's 13-game winning streak may have convinced some fans that the offense is ready to take on the second half and linger in Wild Card contention until October. But the Sox still lack in the power hitting department, which they could remedy with the right move at the trade deadline.

There aren't many clear-cut sellers on this year's market since the American League is so competitive in the middle. But a recent assessment from MLB insider Jon Heyman suggests that a team fresh out of the Wild Card mix could be interested in dealing an extremely compelling player (subscription required).

The Athletics have lost 15 of their last 17 games and their -114 run differential (as of July 20) is the opposite of promising for a Wild Card contender. Heyman reported that the A's are "open to anything" ahead of the deadline — "anything" could include slugging All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers.

According to Heyman, the A's attempted to extend Langeliers and failed. It isn't hard to see why — the Athletics have been one of the worst teams in the AL since 2020, largely due to team owner John Fisher's purposeful negligence of his roster and former stadium. The A's will be all to happy to get rid of a top player like Langeliers to avoid him inevitably walking for nothing in free agency.

A's catcher Shea Langeliers may be available for Red Sox to target at the trade deadline

Langeliers would be an incredible fit in the Sox's lineup. Not only is he right-handed, he's a home run threat and he plays a position the Red Sox could stand to upgrade. Connor Wong has been inconsistent offensively during his time in Boston and Carlos Narváez has regressed severely since the first half of last season.

Langeliers is batting .260/.328/.493 with 18 doubles, 22 home runs and 50 RBI over 89 games this season. His home run total would be tied for the lead in Boston alongside Willson Contreras. Langeliers is pulling the ball less than ever this season at 39.7 percent, but the majority of his homers have left the park over left field, making him an ideal fit for Fenway Park's dimensions.

The 29-year-old is a decent defensive catcher to back up his offense. He has elite pop time and ranks in the 84th percentile in caught stealing above average, but he ranks in the 19th and seventh percentiles in blocks above average and framing, respectively. Meanwhile, Wong ranks just above the league average in blocks and Narváez ranks above Langeliers in blocks and framing.

Langeliers is under team control until after the 2028 season, and since he just netted his first All-Star, he won't be a cheap trade target. Either Wong or Narváez plus some quality piitching prospects to help bring that -114 run differential closer to zero could get the deal done. If Langeliers is on the table, the Red Sox should seriously consider making a big swing to land him at the trade deadline.

Today's best reads

• Jarren Duran's value on trade deadline market extends past offensive struggles with Red Sox
• Wild Red Sox-Cubs trade deadline proposal would end Craig Breslow’s time in Boston
• Willson Contreras' All-Star Game comments just sent loud message to Red Sox front office
• Red Sox's late first-half surge couldn't have aligned better with promising stat on the horizon
• Sonny Gray's comments on no-trade clause put Red Sox’s otherworldly rebound into perspective

This article was originally published on bosoxinjection.com as Red Sox could have perfect trade deadline target after Athletics' failed contract extension attempt.