Red Sox MLB Trade Deadline Moves Since 2000 Include Role Players, Blockbusters, Everything in Between (Photos)

by NESN Staff on Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 8:55AM

It's that time of year again, when rumors begin to fly and players start to get moved as Major League Baseball's July 31 trade deadline rapidly approaches.

By July, every team in the majors has identified its strengths and weaknesses. Each club knows what they need to go out and trade for, and identify players they think can get them over the hump and into the playoffs. Teams have to decide to be buyers or sellers, whether to push for the postseason with a blockbuster move or let the season coast to an unsatisfying end by selling some assets.

The Red Sox battling for a Wild Card playoff spot with the Detroit Tigers. While their offense has been strong, and the bullpen has been consistently good this season, the Sox have not been able to rely on their starting pitching. Some are expecting Boston to make a move to improve their rotation, which would come to no surprise as the Red Sox have been one of the busiest clubs in baseball at the trade deadline since 2000.

Over the past few years, the Sox have turned a lot of heads with some blockbuster trades that include the game's biggest names. In 2004, fan-favorite Nomar Garciaparra was traded in a deal for Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz, who both helped the club win the World Series later that year. Boston saw an end to "Manny being Manny" at the deadline in 2008, and grabbed Victor Martinez in 2009.

Even some of the team's current starting nine came from deadline deals, such as catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Click here to see the Red Sox' trade deadline moves since 2000>>