The Boston Red Sox have struggled to find consistent second-base play since Dustin Pedroia’s time in the position.
However, that may change with Kristian Campbell, one of baseball’s top prospects, who appears to have won the spot. With a recent eight-year, $60 million contract, the Red Sox are committed to keeping him long-term.
This gives the Red Sox flexibility to consider trading one of their other second basemen, either on the roster or in the minors, as they appear to have found a long-term solution. One player who may be on the move before the trade deadline is Vaughn Grissom.
Grissom, an 11th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2019, made his MLB debut in 2022. After spending two seasons with the Braves, he joined the Red Sox last year. In 31 games with Boston, he batted .190 with six RBIs and two stolen bases while playing second base and designated hitter.
Struggling at the plate, Grissom has started this season in the minors. Despite his challenges in the majors, he remains a solid hitter and an improving fielder, still showing potential. At just 24 years old, Grissom has plenty of time to develop.
Boston Red Sox second base Vaughn Grissom (5) singles during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park.
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Detroit Tigers could be a team interested in Grissom’s potential. With Gleyber Torres currently on the injured list and only signed to a one-year deal, the Tigers may not be looking to re-sign him. Torres, 28, will likely seek a long-term contract, which could be more than Detroit is willing to offer.
If the Tigers are hesitant to commit to Torres long-term, they may prefer to acquire a young, promising second baseman like Grissom and develop him as their future starter.
Grissom offers a cheaper, long-term option, and while his MLB numbers aren’t impressive, his minor league stats show promise. He has a .311 career average in the minors, with 39 home runs and 230 RBIs.
The Red Sox, with three second basemen on their active roster, likely don’t need Grissom, making him expendable. Though not as high as when he was one of the top prospects in MLB, his trade value still holds some appeal. The Sox could look for a solid return, such as a few prospects or a proven player.
One possible trade partner could be 27-year-old pitcher Casey Mize of the Tigers. The first overall pick in the 2018 draft, Mize has had difficulty finding consistency in the majors due to injuries and inconsistent performance. Despite this, Mize continues to show flashes of the talent that once made him one of the top pitching prospects.
Mize recently earned a win in his first start of the season, throwing 5.2 innings and allowing just one hit with six strikeouts. If the Tigers are ready to move on from Mize, trading him for a young prospect like Grissom could be a fair deal for both sides.
Adding a pitcher like Mize to the Red Sox’s rotation could strengthen theirs. While Mize has struggled with injuries, he still possesses a powerful splitter, excellent control, and a solid fastball.
His resilience and confidence, even during struggles, would make him a valuable addition to the Red Sox rotation as they aim to make a playoff push for the first time since 2021.
This potential deal makes sense for both teams and could provide the Red Sox with an opportunity to bolster their pitching depth while giving the Tigers a chance to develop a young, affordable second baseman with a high ceiling.
