According to recent reports from Jeff Passan on ESPN, the Boston Red Sox have not been willing to pony up the prospects for Joe Ryan.
Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow has constantly stated that they wanted to "bolster" the team, telling everyone that the team would be fine without Rafael Devers and that he believes in this team.
According to @JeffPassan, the Red Sox aren’t inclined to engage in any large-scale deadline moves right now.
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) July 23, 2025
“Maybe they pony up to get Ryan… but for now, at least, they simply haven't been willing to go there.”
Passan even casts some doubt about adding a rental like Seth Lugo pic.twitter.com/1LhWGSWeix
Red Sox May Frustratingly Stand Pat at the Trade Deadline
Unfortunately, for Breslow, he's getting a little in over his head here. There's absolutely no possible way that, with how this team has performed against the Cubs and the Phillies that this team, right here, right now, is a playoff contender.
The Red Sox are .500 ball merchants, and have been these past four years. The only reason they are even in the playoff race to begin with is that they beat up bad teams (Nationals, Rockies) before the break, creating the false hope of a 10-game winning streak that was built on smoke and mirrors.
Now, the most important deadline of the season is coming up. The Red Sox have the most fertile farm system in the MLB, with teams reportedly breathing down their necks to get their hands on them. This deadline is a gold mine for Breslow to dig into and do what he said to begin with: "Bolster this team".
But as reported, Breslow now does not seem willing to part with many of his prospects to get a deal done. The difference between getting Garrett Crochet in the offseason, parting with four of their top 30 prospects, and doing the same thing to get Joe Ryan is? Absolutely nothing.
Read the signs and between the lines. The Red Sox want to be like Tampa Bay; they always have in this regard. They want to have an always fertile farm system with the "next man up" mentality instead of acting the way they did when they won championships in the first place. Let's get everyone's hopes back down to the harsh reality; no matter how well the prospects will flourish, no matter how many times the Red Sox give the fans hope, the front office is willing to keep pace and stand pat, and do absolutely nothing to improve matters.
If they prove me right by July 31st, await a more serious article, deep diving into the problems within this organization...again.