Red Sox GM Says No Deal Made Sense at the Trade Deadline
Brian O'Halloran said Boston explored several options but found nothing that moved the needle before the deadline, and he now wants the team focused on a playoff push.
By Ishani Kapalli ·
The Major League Baseball trade deadline has passed. Although many expected the Boston Red Sox to buy aggressively on August 1, the club made few moves in either direction.
General manager Brian O'Halloran addressed that approach Thursday on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show. He said Boston made several small moves that help the team but could not agree on a bigger deal. "We talked about a lot of things, but just none of them ended up making sense," O'Halloran said, adding that few impact players changed teams at the deadline.
The Red Sox did acquire infielder Luis Urias, previously with the Milwaukee Brewers, on Tuesday. A week earlier, they sent Kiké Hernandez away in exchange for two minor league relievers, Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman.
Boston's quiet deadline came even though Rafael Devers and other players had hoped the club would add another starting pitcher. Two of the biggest pitching names did move. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander changed teams, and Boston was reportedly interested in Verlander before the Mets and Astros agreed to a deal that reunites him with his former club.
Help may still be on the way from within. Chris Sale made a rehab start for the Worcester Red Sox on Tuesday and could return to Boston soon. Shortstop Trevor Story is also on a rehab stint in Worcester and is working his way back into the lineup.
Story's return could aid a Boston defense that ranks last in the majors in errors per game, according to teamrankings.com.
O'Halloran said the front office kept players informed throughout the process. "We talked to the players; we talked to them before the deadline, we talked to them after the deadline, and explained as best we can what we're thinking," he said.
He added that many in the clubhouse were relieved the team did not trade more players away. "Now that we've turned the page past this deadline I think a lot of guys breathed a sigh of relief that we didn't end up trading some players off the team … this group is focused on the future and trying to secure a playoff berth."
The Red Sox are currently 2.5 games back in the playoff race. They are scheduled to host the Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Friday at 7:10.
Source: Boston.com
