The MLB trade deadline finally came to a close, but not before many moves were made. Sellers like the Orioles, Marlins, and Rays all cleaned house. Buyers such as the Dodgers, Braves, and Diamondbacks also made some key moves. As far as the Red Sox go, I’m here to explain what exactly they did and didn’t do, and what this means going forward.

WHAT THEY DID

The first trade for Steve Pearce was a great one. In Boston so far, he’s hit .333 with a .921 OPS. He touts a very reliable bat and can hit anybody, especially lefties. The Nathan Eovaldi move was another good one. It provided needed depth for the rotation. Eovaldi is no ace, but certainly someone with good stuff who can give you a reliable outing quite often. He has high velocity and good movement on his pitches. This only adds to an overall solid rotation. 

With Pedroia likely out for the whole year with his nagging injury, second base was a big hole for this team. Dombrowski cleaned that up by acquiring Ian Kinsler from the Angels. This move gives Cora more flexibility as far as how he wants the lineup and the infield to look every night. He can work with guys like Devers, Nunez, Holt, and of course Kinsler. He’ll be able to swap and platoon guys on a nightly basis.

David Price, who was a teammate of Kinsler’s in Detroit, said Kinsler was the closest teammate he’s had to Pedroia. That is definitely news you want to hear. The thing I love most about this trade is the fact that he is another old teammate who used to play with three guys on this current Red Sox team; David Price, J.D. Martinez, Rick Porcello, and Ian Kinsler all played together on the 2014 Detroit Tigers. They are all teammates on a winning team here again, which will hopefully work in the Red Sox favor. 

WHAT THEY DIDN’T DO

The move that everyone wanted Dombrowski to make was for a reliever. This Red Sox bullpen hasn’t been the most reliable this year. It’s definitely their weak spot, if they have one. Unfortunately, this was the move Dombrowski wasn’t able to pull the trigger on. Zach Britton, a guy rumored around the Red Sox, never had a chance to end up in Boston. In fact, they didn’t have enough for any reliever, with their farm system being too depleted at the moment. Although it might be a little concerning that the front office didn’t make a move for a bullpen arm, there is a reason they held back.

Recently, Tyler Thornburg has started to look like what he’s expected to be. Another man named Ryan Brasier has jumped into the spotlight as well, posting an ERA south of 1.00 in ten innings. Although he isn’t proven, he’s been pitching very effectively in his role ever since being called up to Fenway. You also can’t forget the Sox have one of the best closers in baseball, Craig Kimbrel, along with Matt Barnes, who has been much better lately. Come playoffs, a few starters will be relegated to the ‘pen as well, adding even further insurance late in games. 

Where This Leaves Them

All in all, Dombrowsi was able work out some deals that will only prove to be positive. Let’s keep in mind that the Red Sox team has the best record in all of baseball. They were great to begin with, and these moves can only make them more dangerous.