Dodgers could force Red Sox into another massive overpay as Boston's options thin

The Dodgers either see something very special in former No. 1 prospect Dalton Rushing, or they're waiting for a deal that's worth shipping him off.

Dodgers fans suspect the latter. It was easy to root for him when they called him up in May, but his first 53 games in the majors turned out to be a dud. No one's saying that Rushing is washed or overhyped after less than a third of a season in the bigs, but it's clear that irregular playing time wasn't great for his game.

The problem: as much as they insist otherwise, the Dodgers still don't know how to give him more. It might be best for everyone involved if they find the right trade partner.

The Red Sox were reportedly interested in him ahead of the trade deadline, but Dustin May was the only Dodger who ended up in Boston, when the Red Sox gave up two prospects for just two months of his services (one of whom has been electric ever since the trade).

Boston has an ugly habit of losing every trade they've ever made with the Dodgers, so you'd think that they'd quit while they're really, really behind. But if Craig Breslow doesn't know what's good for him (and he probably doesn't), the Dodgers could reopen conversations about Rushing and force the Red Sox to make another ill-advised decision.

Dodgers could reopen talks with Red Sox about Dalton Rushing as Boston looks for catching depth

The Red Sox desperately need an upgrade behind the dish from Connor Wong, an infamous piece of the Mookie Betts trade, and Rushing might have the potential to beat out Carlos Narváez for the starting role.

Boston was reportedly interested in J.T. Realmuto before and after their Ranger Suárez signing — the two formed an incredibly successful battery in Philly — but him going back to Philly, the likes of Victor Caratini signing elsewhere, and so on, the Red Sox don't have a lot of options on the free agent market.

Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic noted that getting another catcher isn't on the Red Sox's priority list this offseason, and Breslow has publicly stood by Wong, who only played in 63 games in 2025 and hit .190 with a .500 OPS.

But the Red Sox's front office is, in a word, unpredictable. There was zero smoke about their interest in May before they ended up pulling the trigger on that deal.

The Dodgers might ask more for Rushing than even the Red Sox are willing to pay, but based on the history between these two clubs, it could be a guaranteed win for LA.