Analysis of critical Red Sox needs as MLB trade deadline approaches – NBC Sports Boston

Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaches Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ET and the Red Sox’ needs are becoming increasingly important.

They’ve brought in a starter (James Paxton) and a backup catcher (Danny Jansen), but their rotation is still struggling and their bullpen has been imploding for weeks. After Sunday night’s loss to the Yankees, they’re just 2-7 since the All-Star break, a game behind the Royals for the final wild-card spot.

Let’s take a look at what they’ve done and what work still needs to be done.

1. Two moves so far

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has already filled two needs. After the pitching-rich Dodgers somewhat surprisingly designated Paxton for assignment last week, the Red Sox jumped on him and acquired him for minor league infielder Moises Bolivar.

Paxton is 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA, numbers that are pretty similar to what he put out in Boston last year. Under the hood, though, his velocity and strikeouts are down and his walks are up. He still appealed to the Red Sox because he’s been reliable, with 18 starts to his name. Just getting a regular rotation will help ease the pressure on the rotation.

The other move was a mild surprise. After a hot start, backup catcher Reese McGuire had gone cold. Needing right-handed punch to balance out their overly left-handed roster, the Red Sox signed Jansen, a pending free agent with some power, from the Jays. He represents an upgrade, but perhaps only a marginal one.

2. What now?

In a word, pitching. All-Star Tanner Houck is in a rut after Sunday’s loss, having walked more batters than he’s struck out in three of his last four starts. He’s already set a career-high for innings pitched and will need to be managed going forward. There’s little depth outside of the current five-man rotation.

That means finding another starter, but it’s likely to be someone more akin to Paxton than, say, a top-of-the-market arm like San Francisco’s Blake Snell or Detroit ace Tarik Skubal. Rangers right-hander Michael Lorenzen, whose 3.81 ERA belies some poor peripherals, might have been a target, but he was traded to the Royals on Monday.

While the rotation could use an extra arm, the bullpen remains a much more immediate concern. Red Sox relievers have a 6.39 ERA this month and have blown leads in the seventh inning or later five times since the All-Star break.

The club is awaiting the return of injured setup men Chris Martin and Justin Slaten, but neither has begun a rehabilitation assignment and there is still no timetable for their availability. If the last week is any indication, waiting until mid-August for reinforcements may be too late.

A final need, though less pressing, is a right-handed hitter, preferably one who can play some first base. While the Red Sox remain susceptible to left-handed starters, as New York’s Carlos Rodón illustrated again Sunday, offense isn’t nearly as pressing a concern as pitching.

3. What are the costs?

Here’s where it gets tricky. The reliever market is not for the faint of heart.

The Padres sent the Rays three prospects for right-hander Jason Adam, including their No. 1 pitching prospect, Dylan Lesko. The Phillies sent two respected pitchers to the Angels for right-hander Carlos Estevez. The Diamondbacks used their Nos. 14 and 30 prospects to acquire AJ Puk from the Marlins.

It’s unclear how far Breslow is willing to go for a hire, but you can hardly fault him for not wanting to pay the current exorbitant prices.

4. What does everyone else do?

Remember Alex Cora’s comment that teams that do nothing at the deadline fall behind because everyone else gets better? That already appears to be the case in the American League playoff race.

The Orioles have already added starter Zach Eflin to their rotation and are reportedly still in talks with the Tigers for Skubal. The Yankees acquired All-Star center fielder Jazz Chisholm from the Marlins. The Mariners acquired Rays postseason hero Randy Arozarena. The Royals acquired Lorenzen.

The Blue Jays and Rays could still influence the pennant race by selling. Tampa is the league’s most aggressive seller and could still sell All-Stars Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe, while the Jays could leave left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, first baseman Justin Turner and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier hanging.

With the Rangers and Astros also expected to acquire players, the Red Sox can’t wait for injured players to return if they want to keep pace.