The relationship between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers is... complicated. It's like that one ex you keep texting even though the breakup was messy and your friends all think you're a little crazy for it.
You’d think after the Mookie Betts deal—a trade that basically defined an era of Boston sports misery and L.A. dominance—these two front offices would lose each other's numbers. Nope. Not even close.
In fact, they just keep doing it. Small deals, weird deals, salary dumps. It’s become a staple of the MLB winter. If you're looking for the latest red sox dodgers trade news, you’ve probably noticed things have shifted from "blockbuster superstar swaps" to "surgical roster maintenance."
The December Move Nobody Saw Coming
Just last month, in December 2025, the two teams hooked up again. This time it wasn't for a future Hall of Famer. It was James Paxton.
The Dodgers sent the veteran lefty back to Boston in exchange for a 17-year-old infielder named Moises Bolivar. Honestly, it’s a classic "Craig Breslow move." The Red Sox needed a veteran arm to eat innings and stabilize a rotation that, while talented, has been brittle. Meanwhile, the Dodgers needed to clear a roster spot and liked what they saw in Bolivar’s bat speed in the Dominican Summer League.
It wasn't flashy. It didn't lead SportsCenter. But it tells you everything you need to know about how these two clubs operate now. They trust each other's talent evaluation enough to keep the phone lines open.
Why James Paxton?
Wait, didn't Paxton just leave Boston? Yeah, he did. Baseball is a flat circle.
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The Dodgers had designated him for assignment after he actually beat the Red Sox in a start. Cold world, right? But for Boston, bringing "The Big Maple" back makes sense. He knows Fenway. He knows the pressure. And for a team trying to push back into the AL East elite in 2026, you can't have enough left-handed depth.
The Shadow of the Mookie Betts Trade
We have to talk about it. You can't mention a red sox dodgers trade without every fan in New England feeling a sharp pain in their chest.
Back in 2020, the Red Sox sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers. In return, they got Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong. Looking back now, it's pretty clear who won that one. Mookie has multiple rings and is a perennial MVP candidate in Los Angeles.
But here’s the thing people forget: trades aren't always about "winning" a vacuum. They are about the reality of the books.
- Boston's Goal: Clear luxury tax space and reset the franchise's financial health.
- LA's Goal: Win now at any cost.
Did it work for Boston? Financially, yes. Emotionally? It was a disaster. It created a "scar tissue" that Chaim Bloom had to navigate for years, and now Craig Breslow is still dealing with the fallout of a fan base that is—rightfully—skeptical of any deal involving a star.
The Dustin May Rumors and Pitching Philosophies
Lately, the buzz has shifted toward pitching. There has been plenty of chatter about whether the Dodgers might move a high-upside arm like Dustin May to Boston.
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The Red Sox have been hoarding "pitching lab" types—guys with high spin rates but maybe some injury history or control issues. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have a surplus of arms but a constant need for elite outfield defense or versatile infielders.
There was a rumor floating around the Winter Meetings that Jarren Duran was a "target of interest" for L.A. Think about that for a second. Duran is exactly the kind of high-energy, high-motor player the Dodgers love to slot into their lineup. But the price tag? It would have to be astronomical. We’re talking a package involving someone like Justin Wrobleski or maybe even River Ryan.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Trades
Most fans think front offices are out to "fleece" each other. While that’s fun for Twitter, the reality is much more boring: convenience.
Boston and L.A. are in different leagues. They don't play each other that often. They aren't fighting for the same Wild Card spot. This makes them "safe" trading partners. If the Red Sox trade a player to the Yankees and he becomes a star, the GM might get fired. If they trade him to the Dodgers, it’s just another Tuesday in the National League.
Also, look at the front office trees. There are connections everywhere. People who worked in L.A. now work in Boston, and vice versa. They speak the same "analytical language." When Breslow calls Andrew Friedman, they don't have to explain why they value a certain Launch Angle or Exit Velocity—they already know.
The "Noah Davis" Type of Deals
Remember the Noah Davis trade in early 2025? Most people don't. The Red Sox sent the righty to the Dodgers for basically just cash.
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These "fringe-of-the-roster" moves happen all the time. They are the grease that keeps the MLB machine moving. One team needs a 40-man spot for a prospect; the other team has an open spot and needs a Triple-A arm. It’s basically a neighbor asking to borrow a lawnmower, except the lawnmower is a human being who throws 94 mph.
Is Jarren Duran Next?
If there is a "Big One" coming, it’s Duran. The Red Sox have an outfield logjam with Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Roman Anthony knocking on the door.
The Dodgers have a Mookie Betts-sized hole in the outfield (since Mookie spends so much time in the dirt these days) and a need for a true leadoff spark.
If you see a red sox dodgers trade alert on your phone this spring, don't be shocked if Duran is the centerpiece. But expect the return to be pitching. High-ceiling, "scary" pitching. The kind of arms that make you hold your breath every time they throw because they might hit 102 mph or they might end up on the IL for six months.
Strategy: How to Evaluate the Next Sox-Dodgers Swap
When the next trade inevitably drops, don't just look at the names. Look at the "why."
- Check the 40-man Roster: Often, these trades happen because a team is about to lose a player for nothing in the Rule 5 draft or via waivers.
- Follow the Money: Is there a "cash considerations" element? Usually, L.A. is willing to eat salary to get better prospects.
- The "Buy Low" Factor: Boston loves taking Dodgers players who are coming off surgery (think the James Paxton or Dustin May types). It’s a gamble, but it’s how they find value without spending $300 million.
The James Paxton for Moises Bolivar deal might be the latest, but it won't be the last. These two teams are essentially in a long-term partnership at this point.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire as we get closer to Spring Training. If the Dodgers need to cut a veteran to make room for a late-signing free agent, you can bet the Red Sox will be the first ones on the phone. It’s just how this weird, cross-country relationship works.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Track the 40-man: If you see the Dodgers have 41 players on their roster after a signing, look for a "Red Sox acquire [Pitcher Name] for Cash" headline within 48 hours.
- Don't overreact to the "Prospect" return: In the Paxton deal, Bolivar is years away. These trades are often about immediate roster flexibility rather than finding the next superstar.
- Watch the "Secondary Market": Often, a trade between these two is just a precursor to a bigger move. Clearing a spot today usually means a signing is coming tomorrow.
The days of Mookie Betts-level blockbusters might be over for now, but the "Boston-to-L.A. pipeline" is as active as ever. Whether it’s for a lefty starter or a teenage infielder, these two front offices are basically on speed dial.