Why are the Red Sox connected to so many shortstops in trade rumors?

Matthew Gross argues that the Boston Red Sox should rely on top prospect Franklin Arias at shortstop instead of pursuing external trade targets. Recent media reports and predictions have linked Boston to various shortstops, including Elly De La Cruz, CJ Abrams, and Otto Lopez. Gross questions why the organization would pursue costly trades when internal options are readily available.

Gross emphasizes that Arias is ranked as the No. 2 prospect across all of baseball and recently won a minor league Gold Glove award. He notes that both Arias and Roman Anthony offer long-term cost control, warning that trading premier young talent to acquire outside players could severely damage Boston's future.