Boston media outlet predicts Red Sox will trade for Mariners ace this offseason

Despite the distance between their home cities, the Red Sox and Mariners are pretty similar organizations. Both teams are in competitive divisions with big-spending teams standing between them and the postseason. Both teams fought for a potential Wild Card spot until the final weeks of this season.

Although the Red Sox won a World Series as recently as 2018, they have the same amount of playoff appearances as the Mariners since then: one.

Thus, it makes sense that fans are expecting Boston to be as active as possible this offseason. With plenty of possible improvements to be made to their roster, NESN had a few specific ideas on potential assets to acquire this winter, one of which was to add Logan Gilbert to the starting rotation.

Gilbert would be a valuable piece of any team's pitching staff. He had a 3.23 ERA and 9.5 SO/9 in what was a career year, leading all of MLB in starts (33), total innings pitched (208.2), and WHIP (0.887). A rare combination of stuff and an outstanding ability to eat innings, his addition to the Red Sox roster would bring an already top-10 rotation to the next level. Gilbert is one of several players eligible for arbitration and is slated to earn a considerable raise, potentially incentivizing Seattle to ship him off to save on payroll — an all too familiar move.

Who should the Mariners ask for in return? Some have emphasized the team's desperate need for more impactful infielders, but the Red Sox don't have many of those. Unfortunately, their best pieces are likely too valuable for Boston and too pricey for Seattle. Rafael Devers is currently on a gargantuan 10-year, $313.5 million contract and Triston Casas is under team control until 2029. Similarly, Trevor Story won't be a free agent until 2028 at the earliest (with a team option becoming available that year). Romy González had a decent year at second base, posting a .723 OPS over 216 plate appearances, but he would undoubtedly need to come with prospects in exchange for a player of Gilbert's caliber.

Another factor to consider is whether the Mariners' front office is even willing to entertain any trade talks for members of their league-leading rotation. Jerry Dipoto has stated that they are planning to retain their starting pitchers which could limit their potential return from any trade given the weakness of the rest of the roster.

Furthermore, with the team perpetually on the cusp of playoff contention, they're likely more interested in major-league talent that can help now rather than prospect equity that can help later. Anything is possible, but with the way things currently stand, it seems unlikely that the Red Sox and Mariners will become trade partners over a premium talent such as Gilbert.