The Boston Red Sox took weeks to commit to a trade deadline strategy. Once they did, it shocked some fans and experts.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow shared that the Red Sox would pick a "lane." They will either buy or sell, and not a combination of both. But their recent post-All-Star break skid has some insiders wondering if everything just changed.
MLB insider Jeff Passan said he believes the Red Sox will both buy and sell due to conflicting mentalities within the organization.
Many experts predicted Boston would finish the 2024 season in last place in the American League East after another unimpressive offseason. The Red Sox's June and July success has been interpreted as the team "overperforming," and while that may be true, Passan is correct in stating that the players deserve reinforcement for their performances.
Jeff Passan believes Red Sox may buy and sell before trade deadline
The Sox's recent losing streak has revealed a number of weaknesses that need to be addressed — potentially more than the front office anticipated when it committed to picking a lane before July 30. Adding a starter and an impact righty bat have been among Breslow's priorities, but the bullpen needs help due to several injuries and rough stretches from the Sox's hurlers.
Boston's bullpen is also home to the two players it might want to trade most — Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin. Both are veterans, likely nearing the end of their careers, that the Red Sox aren't interested in re-signing. Liam Hendriks is nearing his return to baseball after he underwent Tommy John surgery last season, and the Sox have no use for two closers. Martin is currently on the injured list with elbow inflammation that could make him untradeable or drastically decrease any return Boston could've hoped for him.
1. There is an expectation that the Red Sox will show interest in James Paxton; 2. They are on a lookout for a swing-and-miss lefty reliever; 3. This group has earned some urgency from the front office.https://t.co/7Mfnz8lYED
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) July 23, 2024
Some of the Red Sox's potential trade pieces don't make the most sense to sell anymore, either. The rotation is desperate for help, and trading Nick Pivetta, who is on an expiring contract, would create another vacancy. He's also tossed a few gems in his most recent stretch of games, including a seven-inning, one-hit, no-run outing against the Marlins and a six-inning, two-hit, no-run day against the Dodgers. Tyler O'Neill is one of Boston's few righty bats and he's been its most consistent right-hander since play resumed after the All-Star break.
Passan pointed out that the Red Sox have a young core of players coming up through the minor leagues and that the front office has leaned toward future-minded decisions. Selling some of their assets, like Jansen, Martin or O'Neill, could help the Sox prepare for the future, but that would go against Breslow's deadline plan of "buy or sell, not both."
With one week until the trade deadline, the Red Sox have to make a choice. If they lose a few more games before July 30, Passan could end up right about their plan. Reports have surfaced that Boston hasn't ruled out trading valuable rental players, but Breslow seems committed to a "buyer" mindset.
A lot can change in the next few days, though.