Red Sox Rival Expected To Be ‘Aggressive’ At Trade Deadline

The Boston Red Sox have solidified themselves as potential buyers at the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline after a recent surge in the standings has found the team firmly entrenched in the American League Wild Card race.

With possible needs at first base and starting pitching, the Red Sox are reportedly one of the teams said to be pounding the pavement in search of roster upgrades. With injuries to high-leverage bullpen arms such as Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten, it’s almost expected that the Red Sox will be looking for help to pair with relievers Jordan Hicks and Aroldis Chapman in the back of the bullpen during the next few weeks.

However, the Red Sox aren’t the only AL East team looking at upgrades at the deadline. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the first-place Toronto Blue Jays have identified starting pitching as their biggest need, and they have recently been connected to Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen in trade talks.

“GMs believe that the Toronto Blue Jays could be as aggressive as any team in baseball at the deadline, believing this could be their best chance to return to the World Series since 1993,” wrote Nightengale. “The Blue Jays are looking for a front-line pitcher, and have shown interest in Gallen.”

With Arizona hampered by injuries and regression this season, trading Gallen and third baseman Eugenio Suárez has been reported and speculated by MLB insiders since the beginning of June. Gallen, who’s 7-10 with a 5.10 ERA this season, would give a nice boost to a Toronto rotation that already includes Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman, José Berríos and Chris Bassitt.