A look back at notable August trades by the Boston Red Sox that would be prohibited under a new MLB rule being implemented for the 2019 season.
Major Leauge Baseball is in the process of undergoing some significant changes, a few of which will be implemented for the upcoming season. The most notable difference beginning in 2019 is a singular trade deadline. Players can still be claimed on waivers after the July 31 deadline but teams will no longer be allowed to complete trades after that date.
Why does this rule change matter for the Boston Red Sox? For one thing, it leaves less time to bolster the roster for a postseason run. Finding a suitable option to replace a player who falls to injury after the deadline will be a bit more difficult now. Greater emphasis will be placed on the July 31 deadline. Will teams on the fringe of the playoff race be more inclined to sell knowing they won’t have another chance after the deadline or does this mean less talent will be available to acquire mid-season?
It’s rare that an August trade makes much of an impact since players involved in the deal must clear waivers before they are eligible to be included. Occasionally, it does happen though and a look back at the history of Red Sox trades made in August shows several noteworthy deals.