Through their many ups and downs this season — from the Rafael Devers trade to nonexistent offense to 10-game winning streaks — MLB insider Jeff Passan claims he’s remained confident that the Boston Red Sox are a playoff team.
But in his July 23 trade deadline preview, Passan’s perspective on Boston’s expected moves changed dramatically. Red Sox fans won’t like the pivot, especially after their skid coming out of the All-Star break.
“At this moment, the Red Sox are not inclined to engage in any large-scale deadline moves. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has said the team wants to add after trading Devers, and while it would surprise no one if they did, Boston is an organization that deeply values operating efficiently, and a market like this is the epitome of inefficient,” Passan wrote.
This update contradicts multiple others from reporters close to the Red Sox and members of Boston’s front office. Rob Bradford of WEEI recently stated on the “Jones & Keefe” show that Boston is “more motivated this trade deadline than we have seen in years” ahead of this season’s deadline. Breslow also attested that the Sox would be buyers even before their 10-game winning streak before the All-Star break. Passan’s update, if true, is a stark change from what the Red Sox have said they plan to do before the trade deadline.
Jeff Passan’s trade deadline prediction for Red Sox is not what fans want to hear
But, given this year’s market, Passan’s best guess at Boston’s moves could make some sense. Breslow initially sought top-tier pitching help with multiple years of control, but there aren’t many such players who are expected to be made available before the deadline. There aren’t many top-of-the-rotation rentals available, either.
Passan also tabbed Jarren Duran as the Red Sox’s best tradable asset, but the team has given mixed messages on whether it’s shopping him. He could help them secure a high-quality return, like in MLB insider Ken Rosenthal’s latest mock trade that would send Duran to Kansas City in exchange for Seth Lugo and multiple prospects, but it would take a convincing package to convince Boston to deal the recent MVP candidate.
There are a fair few obstacles in the way of the trade deadline of Boston’s dreams, one being the slim market for high-end arms and the competition from other teams in contention. But the Red Sox have missed the playoffs in the last three seasons, and missing them again would be unacceptable — operating efficiently and winning every deal by a mile, as Breslow prefers, could be the nail in the coffin of the Red Sox’s postseason aspirations.
The Red Sox’s 2024 trade deadline additions of Luis Garcia, Lucas Sims and Danny Jansen were unimpressive and didn’t help much in their Wild Card chase. Boston cannot afford another year of underwhelming moves.
