Red Sox plan to be aggressive buyers with their eyes set on two top-notch players

Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Red Sox plan to be aggressive buyers with their eyes set on two top-notch players

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jul 24, 2026 12:10 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox have shifted from being sellers to aggressive buyers ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline and they are targeting both C.J. Abrams and Shea Langeliers according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Both Abrams and Langeliers have recently been on the trade block as the Athletics plan to be sellers with the Washington Nationals riding both waves as they look to still be contenders.

If the Red Sox follow their plan with being aggressive buyers it would without question leave a bold statement and adding either Abrams or Langeliers would significantly enhance their roster.

In addition, Abrams and Langeliers would also boost their power production in their lineup as Abrams has 24 home runs this season and Langeliers has 23.

Nightengale: Red Sox now plan to be aggressive buyers at the trade deadline.

They have their eyes on CJ Abrams, have “salivated over the idea” of trading for Shea Langeliers. pic.twitter.com/QQWeVQnVZT
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) July 24, 2026

Why the Red Sox are targeting C.J. Abrams

Abrams is a 25-year-old shortstop for the Nationals who is an elite left-hitting power machine. He's also a base-stealing threat with 16 stolen bases this season that would mesh well at Fenway Park as he owns a sprint speed of 28.4 feet per seconds.

Abrams is also under team control through the end of the 2028 season, which would make him a long-term fixture and for the Red Sox. As well, his infield depth would help fill a void at shortstop with Trevor Story landing on the 60-day injury list on June 4.

Why Shea Langeliers fits with the Red Sox

Langeliers is one of the top power-hitting catchers in MLB who earned his first All-Star nod this season. Langeliers offers exceptional right-handed power as a catcher and has showcased his elite dominance behind the dish with a pop time of 1.87 seconds that sits in the 91st percentile.

Langeliers would provide the Red Sox with critical run production at the catcher position, as their committee approach with Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong, and Mickey Gasper has drawn poor power production (four home runs) and weak offense.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

More must-reads: