The Red Sox publicly insist that they are not throwing in the towel on the 2025 season, which makes sense, given that they’ve climbed back over .500 and into the Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Sox’ NL counterpart when it comes to disappointing seasons, the Atlanta Braves, remain under .500. This situation has led many to call the Red Sox potential buyers, and the Braves potential sellers. And, however you feel about the events that have transpired over the past few months, I think we can all agree on one thing: Craig Breslow trading for Chris Sale would be freaking hilarious. But the Braves seem pretty clear in their intent: they are not going to move Sale at the deadline and call the suggestion that they might “completely ridiculous.” (Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a new arm in the Red Sox rotation soon. Kyle Harrison, the former top-50 prospect the Red Sox received in the Rafael Devers trade, is excited to build out his arsenal in AAA and compete for a rotation spot. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
If the Sox do become sellers instead, they could find themselves sellers of the most coveted trade chip in the game: Jarren Duran. (Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, Eno Sarris, The Athletic)
Not that there hasn’t been plenty of coverage of the Devers trade already, but are you interested in some coverage that comes in the form of a business advice column? Here’s one that discusses the perils of an organization that communicates poorly. (Larry Edelman, Boston Globe)
Hopefully the Sox brass gives that a read, and maybe take a management class or too at Harvard extension school, because it seems like there’s some cultural rot in the office. (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)
Alex Cora, though, is defending his actions in the whole sordid affair. (Scott McLaughlin, WEEI)
