Red Sox Acquire Two Pitchers, Miss Key Trade Targets at Deadline

The Boston Red Sox made only two trades before the 2025 MLB trade deadline, acquiring pitchers Steven Matz from the Cardinals and Dustin May from the Dodgers, both expected to be short-term rentals as free agents after the season. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow expressed significant effort to add a hitter, particularly targeting first base to improve a position where the team ranks 20th in OPS, and was engaged in talks for All-Star Eugenio Suárez, but the Red Sox ultimately failed to make a deal for impactful bats. Despite having payroll flexibility and a strong farm system, the Red Sox underwhelmed at the deadline compared to other American League contenders like the Mariners and Yankees, who made more aggressive acquisitions. Breslow emphasized the willingness to be aggressively uncomfortable in trade talks but noted that trades require mutual agreement, and the team focused on protecting major league players while using prospects as trade chips. The pursuit of starting pitching included a failed attempt to acquire 36-year-old Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly, who was traded to the Rangers instead. Though the Red Sox added pitching depth, fans and analysts remain concerned the team missed an opportunity to bolster the lineup for a postseason push.