The Boston Red Sox are continuing their uncertain path of trying to recapture a championship. Breslow has confirmed, by multiple reports, that the Red Sox are looking to "aggressively buy" at the deadline. However, many rumors now within the organization have told the Boston fans otherwise. Everything here to this point is speculative, and it's important to value everything that's being said. With that, the Red Sox may do some half-buying and half-selling this year.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel believe that guys like Sandy Alcantara and Freddy Peralta could be good fits for the Red Sox. Let's think about that for a second.
Sandy is having a very down year, with an ERA over 6. That's not going to help them one bit, but it fits Breslow's wants: A project that could pan out in Andrew Bailey's pitching regime. While he's a heavy candidate and more than likely to get traded, it's a hit or miss for Boston. Too risky for a team that's rebuilding for the future, and the last thing they need is another $17M player on their roster who can't pitch.
Freddy Peralta, on the other hand, is having an amazing season and is in the middle of his best three-season stretch of his career. 508 strikeouts, a 3.98 FIP, and a 10.6 K/9, all while maintaining a 3.58 ERA. This season, batters are hitting .208 against him. This guy is the strikeout pitcher the Red Sox need, besides Garrett Crochet. The problem? The Brewers are fighting for a playoff spot and are 8 games over .500. They're most likely not going to part ways with Peralta regardless of the talent they'd offer.
However, here's a great fit for Boston: Seth Lugo. If Breslow wants a definite impact on the pitching, Lugo is the way to go. A 2.93 ERA with an ERA+ of 141 and 68 strikeouts, a bit of a down year from last year. However, he's been red-hot as of late, averaging 5 strikeouts a game. He'd be a perfect #3 for the Red Sox rotation, barring any more injuries.
Another thing the Red Sox need is a first baseman. Many assume Ryan O'Hearn would work for them, and rightfully so. He'd be a great addition to the team, with his well-improved .304 batting average with 11 HRs, along with an OPS+ of 150. He's one of the only major hitters on that 34-45 Orioles team.
As for how they'll approach the deadline, it may have to be addition by subtraction as well, like getting rid of Walker Buehler, for example. Such sacrifices like Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu may also have to be considered, especially if they want to get a key pitcher like Peralta or even Lugo, for that matter. Craig Breslow will have to evaluate everything on the table, and whether they decide to sell or not, it'll still be an eventful deadline for the Red Sox.