The Boston Red Sox had a chance to make a statement at the deadline. But instead of diving into a playoff push headfirst, Craig Breslow decided to dip his toes in the water.
Breslow was able to swing a couple of deals, adding reliever Steven Matz and starter Dustin May for the final stretch. But Red Sox fans were more focused on what they could have had and a lukewarm attempt to acquire Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins.
The deals that didn’t happen have dominated the headlines since the deadline passed. And another damning report didn’t do Breslow any favors as he looks to carry out his plan beyond this season.
MLB Insider Says Teams Hate Dealing with Red Sox GM Craig Breslow
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recapped the Red Sox deadline as a guest on Foul Territory this week. Like fellow MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Nightengale blasted Breslow’s approach at the deadline and revealed that he’s become baseball’s version of the annoying manager in your fantasy baseball league.
“Teams hate dealing with the Red Sox,” Nightengale said. “I guess it’s just very tough to do with Breslow. When you talk to GMs around the game, they said it’s very tough to deal with the Red Sox and Craig Breslow in particular.”
Teams hate dealing with the Red Sox, says @BNightengale.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 1, 2025
"When you talk to GMs around the game, they say it's very tough to deal with the Red Sox and Craig Breslow in particular." pic.twitter.com/X2usHWRtGv
A report by The Athletic’s Dan Hayes and Jen McCaffrey is damning evidence towards Nightengale’s report. While the Red Sox made calls about Ryan, a 2025 All-Star that’s under team control through the 2027 season, Breslow wasn’t willing to give up major league outfielders such as Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu or any prospect package enticing enough to make the Twins pull the trigger.
Nightengale essentially confirmed those reports during his interview, saying that while the Red Sox called, they were never truly in on Ryan.
“I’m not sure if they even had conversations,” Nightengale said. “...If they’re really going for it, they did a poor job because the [New York] Yankees got a lot better. [Toronto] Blue Jays got better. So, I think they’re going to be on the outside looking in. I think the fact that they didn’t do anything, they may be sitting at home, and the Texas Rangers take their place as that Wild Card team.”
The Red Sox are in a good spot now, entering Saturday four games back of the Blue Jays for first place in the American League East and three games up above the cut-off line in the AL Wild Card race. But if the lack of activity comes back to haunt them, Breslow could be under more criticism when the season comes to a close.