The Boston Red Sox ripped off a 15-game win streak, tying a franchise record, before losing Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday.
Regardless, their 15-1 run has them at 52-49 and in wild-card position. The win streak has saved the season, because if they had waited another week or so to heat up, they may have been sellers at the deadline. Instead, they are now expected to fill their needs at the deadline and set themselves up for a run.
"The Red Sox look to be headed for the buyer’s lane in light of their recent surge, which has been one of the best in team history," wrote MLB.com's Ian Browne on Thursday. "Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow is in the market for a bat. The question is: What position will that bat play? Catcher, middle infield and DH seem to be the best fits lineup-wise."
If Breslow wants a bat like Browne suggests, he could have his pick. Plenty of star hitters could be on the move this year, and the Red Sox have pieces to give up if they need to. Adding a middle infielder like Luis Arraez could be great for the Red Sox considering Marcelo Mayer's injury and woes at the plate.
BaseballNow.Shop
Adding a designated hitter could complicate playing time for Masataka Yoshida unless Jarren Duran is traded. Adding a catcher would bring perhaps the biggest upgrade to the lineup, but adding a catcher in the middle of the season is not easy to do.
Hunter Goodman and Ryan Jeffers have been floated as trade candidates, and either one would provide a major upgrade for the Red Sox.
While adding a bat would be ideal for the Red Sox, adding another reliever would not hurt. The postseason often comes down to which team can get the most out of its bullpen, and the Red Sox could really solidify a strong bullpen by adding another elite arm. Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman are as good as it gets at the end of a game, but imagine if the Red Sox could essentially end a game in the seventh inning.