Overview
- A concentrated offensive stretch produced a 15-game winning streak and a 20-3 record since June 25 that lifted Boston from about 14 games under .500 into a roughly 52-49 record and a Wild Card spot.
- Team leaders say the Red Sox will look to buy at the Aug. 3 deadline with primary needs at shortstop, starting pitching and catching depth.
- Boston has held long-standing interest in Angels shortstop Zach Neto but sources say acquiring him would likely require significant prospect capital and could include trading top prospects such as Marcelo Mayer.
- Pitching injuries and workloads are driving urgency: Garrett Crochet has been on the injured list since April with shoulder inflammation and has not resumed throwing, and several young starters are nearing career-high innings totals.
- Front-office caution matters because last year’s modest deadline additions underperformed, so Boston plans to let the market develop through the deadline and weigh short-term gains against long-term prospect cost.