Stop us if you've heard this one before: The Boston Red Sox are at a crossroads entering the MLB trade deadline.
For the second consecutive year, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom must determine whether to add pieces to a club that's just 2.5 games out of an American League wild card spot, sell veterans on expiring contracts to further bolster the farm system -- or some combination of both.
We've heard plenty of rumors on the selling side -- outfielders Alex Verdugo and Adam Duvall and pitcher James Paxton all reportedly have interested suitors ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET deadline -- but Boston also is in dire need of pitching, even with the expected returns of Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck from injury.
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So, what moves might Bloom make in 2023 to avoid the disappointing outcome of 2022? Below is a live tracker of all Red Sox-related rumors, reports and transactions on MLB trade deadline day. (All times Eastern):
6:18 p.m.: The Red Sox got one move in before the buzzer, acquiring infielder Luis Urias from the Brewers.
5:50 p.m.: With 10 minutes until the deadline, the Red Sox are talking to the Dodgers about starter James Paxton, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
5:47 p.m.: The Red Sox may be trying to trade for second baseman Kolten Wong after the Mariners DFA'd him, per MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.
4:52 p.m.: ESPN's Jeff Passan reports the Los Angeles Dodgers had a deal in place to acquire former Boston Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez from the Detroit Tigers, but Rodriguez invoked his no-trade clause.
4:05 p.m.: If you're a Red Sox fan fretting over the team's lack of activity Tuesday, just be glad you don't root for the Yankees. (Boston has made two trades last week, dealing Kike Hernandez to the Los Angeles Dodgers and acquiring pitcher Mauricio Llovera from the San Francisco Giants.)
3:54 p.m.: While all is quiet on the buyer front for the Red Sox, FanSided's Robert Murray hinted on his "Baseball Insiders" podcast that Duvall and Paxton continue to draw interest from other teams.
3:25 p.m.: Another starting pitcher is set to come off the board: The Philadelphia Phillies are nearing a deal to acquire Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Lorenzen, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports.
3:15 p.m.: Dylan Cease is one of the best starting pitchers on the trade market under team control for multiple seasons and would be a great addition for the Red Sox. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported the Chicago White Sox are seeking an "enormous" return for the right-hander, but it sounds like they're at least entertaining offers.
2:55 p.m.: We have a blockbuster, folks. The Houston Astros are parting with their top prospect, outfielder Drew Gilbert, to acquire New York Mets ace Justin Verlander, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Verlander has already won two World Series in Houston and is a significant addition for the Astros, who occupy the second AL Wild Card spot and are 3.5 games ahead of the Red Sox as of Tuesday.
1:45 p.m.: The Red Sox are one of several teams that could use starting pitching, but considering that Bloom said he prefers "core contributors" over rentals, the pickings might be slim, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
1:15 p.m.: St. Louis Cardinals infielder Paul DeJong could have formed a nice double play combination with the soon-to-return Trevor Story, but instead, he's headed to the division rival Toronto Blue Jays, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports.
1:07 p.m.: Speaking of former Red Sox... Left-hander Rich Hill is set to join his 13th MLB team following a trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the San Diego Padres, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
11:10 a.m.: A reunion with Eduardo Rodriguez could make some sense for Boston, but MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports the Los Angeles Dodgers have plenty of interest in the Detroit Tigers left-hander.
