MLB Trade Deadline Recap: Boston Red Sox

Now that the non-waiver deadline has passed, we’re taking a look back at what each team was able to accomplish before 4 p.m. ET on July 31. Next up in our recap series, the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox (59-49), 1st in AL East

ACQUIRED: RHP Addison Reed (from NYM), INF Eduardo Nunez (from SF)

TRADED: RHP Shaun Anderson (to SF), RHP Stephen Nogosek (to NYM), RHP Jamie Callahan (to NYM), RHP Gerson Bautista (to NYM), RHP Gregory Santos (to SF)

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The Red Sox may not have done as much as their bitter rival in New York, but they still made two impact moves in the week leading up to the deadline. Infielder Eduardo Nunez and reliever Addison Reed filled the two main holes on Boston’s roster, and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski didn’t have to give up high-end prospects to get them.

Boston’s glaring hole at third base looked even larger once the club cut both Jhonny Peralta and Pablo Sandoval after the All-Star break, leading Dombrowski to add both Nunez and top prospect Rafael Devers to the roster on back-to-back days. Both have been impressive in the first week as Red Sox, with Devers likely taking over as the full-time third baseman moving forward and Nunez providing a depth option at multiple positions.

Reed was the top rental relief option available, giving the Sox a proven arm alongside Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel at the back of the bullpen. Reed, who was acquired on deadline day, didn’t cost much, with Nogosek being the biggest name shipped out of Boston all month.

Despite flirting with some other options (Todd Frazier, Zack Cozart Justin Wilson, Pat Neshek and A.J. Ramos among them), Boston settled on Reed and Nunez due to their status as rentals who wouldn’t cost too much in a depleted farm system. David Price’s recent injury caused some to speculate Dombrowski could pursue a rotation arm like Sonny Gray, Yu Darvish or, on a much lesser level, Jeremy Hellickson, but the club appears comfortable with Doug Fister filling in until Price returns.

If Price’s injury issues continue, Dombrowski could add some rotation depth in a waiver-wire deal. The problem, as it was during the month of July, is finding someone who is a legitimate upgrade over Fister on a very weak market for starting pitching.

Nunez and Reed weren’t the biggest stars out there and don’t come with the fanfare of recent Boston trade additions Chris Sale or Craig Kimbrel, but they’ll be useful pieces for two months and really didn’t cost that much. Dealin’ Dave dealt, but his faith in the group he’s already assembled caused him to be a little more tame than usual.

For a complete list of our trade deadline recaps, click here.