Chaim Bloom's justification for Red Sox inaction at the MLB trade deadline
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom made a single move at Tuesday's MLB trade deadline, adding Milwaukee Brewer's infielder Luis Urías in exchange for right-hander Bradley Blalock.
In the media news conference via zoom following the deadline, Bloom shared his thoughts on the team's approach.
"We really like what we're building. It's not something that we're asking people to close their eyes and dream on. You're seeing it more and more each night on the field, the core, we're building what we're building towards," Bloom said, "Understanding that we're underdogs this year right now where we are in the playoff odds, we just tried to stay true to that."
After losing three straight games over the weekend, the Red Sox entered Tuesday with a 24.8% chance of making the playoffs, per Fangraphs.
Key takeaways from Red Sox trade deadline press conference
The Red Sox had a strong July overall, going 15-8 with a +33 run differential and enjoying strong individual months from multiple players in the batter's box and on the mound. At the deadline, the team sat 2.5 games outside the third American League wildcard spot.
The obvious need was starting pitching. Injuries have forced the Red Sox to employ a three-starter rotation between Bryan Bello, James Paxton, and Kutter Crawford along with bullpen openers to fill the gap. Many fans and media expected the Red Sox to be involved in talks to acquire an arm from a starting pitching market filled with talent.
Players on the roster were aware of the need as well. Star third baseman Rafael Devers shared his hopes for the deadline with Boston Globe's Peter Abraham on Sunday.
"Everybody knows what we need," Devers said, "Hopefully we can get that in the next few days. We can’t control that as players. All we can do is give 100 percent on the field. But we need pitching.”
Bloom had to justify not making a move for a pitcher early and often during the news conference.
"Just because someone would be a great addition doesn't mean that the trade that it would take to acquire him is a good trade, doesn't mean that it would help us get where we need to go," he said.
"I think the trade deadlines that are most rewarded are the ones that are done well and that are done thoughtfully and that are done with the right objectives in mind," Bloom said, " If we make a splash at the deadline, it should come from doing the right things."
Besides answering the media, Bloom will have to answer the team he constructed. Numerous players including manager Alex Cora have publicly stated their self-belief. Believing they can contend late in the season.
How does a front office show the locker room they share their belief? By adding to the roster at the deadline.
Instead, the Red Sox did nothing while the teams around them in the standings improved. The Angels brought in a haul of talent including starter Lucas Giolito, the Rays added multiple pitchers and the Astros brought back Justin Verlander.
Bloom and the Red Sox will have to bet on the return of recovering pitchers Chris Sale, Garret Whitlock, and Tanner Houck to provide the starting rotation with the boost it desperately needs ahead of a tightly contested playoff push.