The Red Sox leave the trade deadline in the first Wild Card spot, riding a five-game win streak and, most importantly, sitting above the Yankees in the division. But instead of capitalizing on the momentum, Craig Breslow and the front office passed on making any significant moves. Pitchers Steven Matz and Dustin May were brought in from the Cardinals and Dodgers, respectively, but fans expected more with names like Joe Ryan and Ryan O’Hearn linked to Boston.
Much to the chagrin of Red Sox Nation, the team settled and failed to upgrade its core at the deadline. Breslow has placed the Sox in a transactional purgatory, neither buying nor selling. A team this hot needs a leader who won't freeze when it matters. The 2025 Red Sox are just a few games from the top of a weak American League, but failed to address their key holes at the deadline.
Outfield Logjam
Ceddanne Rafaela is one of the best defensive outfielders in the majors, yet he now finds himself playing the infield regularly as five other outfielders fight for innings. Rafaela isn’t the same player away from the outfield and dealing Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu would break the logjam. Both are having strong seasons, and teams like the Twins and Padres had Duran on their radar. Moving him in a package for someone like Joe Ryan, who Minnesota kept despite a fire sale, would solve the main issues within the roster.
By holding onto six outfielders, the Sox reduce Rafaela’s value and force players like Rob Refsnyder, Roman Anthony, and Masataka Yoshida to divvy up innings. Rafaela has posted 16 Outs Above Average in the outfield this season, compared to -2 in the infield. Breslow’s inability to move an outfielder for an All-Star arm while preserving an overly crowded depth chart shows a troubling lack of front office clarity.
Prospect Hoarding
To Breslow’s credit, he’s helped build a competitive roster. But none of the remaining roster holes were addressed at the deadline. Worcester is loaded with prospects, many of whom were drafted under Chaim Bloom. Yet, most have no path to the crowded 26-man roster. Jhostynxon Garcia and Vaughn Grissom are blocked by several players competing for the same limited roles. Garcia has hit .303 with 15 homers since being promoted to Worcester in May, but has no spot for him in Boston.
Grissom voiced his frustration to MassLive, “I don’t really expect much more opportunity here just because decisions that were made were made, and it kind of didn’t involve me.”
With so many teams selling, this was the moment to cash in on the highly ranked pipeline. Boston has depth in its farm system and should’ve used it to land All-Star talent, especially when many of those prospects have no future on the current roster.
Incomplete Rotation
The additions of Matz and May bolster pitching depth but don’t fill the need for a reliable starter come October. Many fans wanted a backup catcher or a first baseman, but the only thing keeping this team from being a true World Series contender is another frontline starter to complete the rotation.
Breslow told MassLive about the lack of activity, "I understand the frustration and the disappointment because we’re all looking at the last week right now in terms of the trades that were made and weren’t made."
While the rest of the AL East was active in the trade market, the Red Sox only slightly improved. After Hunter Dobbins tore his ACL and Tanner Houck dealt with Tommy John setbacks, the Sox have relied on Crochet, Bello, Giolito, and Buehler to hold the season together. Buehler has disappointed, sporting a 5.72 ERA.
May, acquired from the Dodgers like Buehler, is slotted as a third or fourth starter. He’s already doubled his career-high in innings pitched with 104 and carries a 4.85 ERA in his sixth season. The injury list is long; two Tommy John surgeries and an esophagus tear from lettuce that sidelined him for all of 2024.
Boston gave up James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard to get May, but he’s not the dominant arm this team needed. The Sox entered and exited the deadline still one reliable pitcher short. Crochet is pitching at a Cy Young level, and adding a strong No. 2 could have made the rotation elite. Pitchers like Joe Ryan or Merrill Kelly were on the market. Still, Breslow declined to pull the trigger on a big move.
Whether the front office was trying to manage payroll or simply unwilling to go all-in, the result is the same: Boston failed to add significant help. Red Sox fans are tired of mediocrity, and once again, the team passed on a golden opportunity to become a true World Series contender.