The Boston Red Sox added two prospects, a 34-year-old outfielder and a backup catcher Monday ahead of Tuesday's MLB trade deadline. Now they're eyeing another depth acquisition, it appears.
The Red Sox checked in with the Rays about outfielder Brett Phillips, The Boston Globe's Alex Speier reported late Monday night. Tampa Bay designated Phillips for assignment Monday after acquiring Jose Siri from the Houston Astros.
The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies also have shown interest in the 28-year-old Phillips, NJ.com's Brendan Kuty reported Monday night.
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Phillips is hitting just .147 this season with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 75 games. He had never played more than 51 games in a season prior to 2021, when he hit .206 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs for Tampa over 118 contests.
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has plenty of familiarity with the Rays, having worked in Tampa Bay's front office for 15 years from 2005 to 2019. While Bloom left the Rays before Phillips arrived in 2020, perhaps he sees value in adding the light-hitting outfielder on a cheap contract.
Boston also acquired Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham on Monday in addition to dealing Christian Vazquez to the Houston Astros and trading reliever Jake Diekman to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Reese McGuire.
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It's likely at least one more move is coming from Bloom and Co. before the 6 p.m. ET deadline.