Red Sox Reporter Offers Bold MLB Trade Deadline Prediction

The Red Sox have multiple needs to address before the MLB trade deadline, and what they do will be dependent on who is available.

Boston could seek out players who have been designated for assignment by their teams as a way to acquire assets without giving up any. But the key areas of need for Alex Cora's side are starting pitching and a right-handed bat.

The Athletic on Tuesday polled every MLB team reporter to give their "bold prediction" for the trade deadline. Jen McCaffrey believes the Red Sox will acquire another starting pitcher.

"The Red Sox don't currently have a set fifth starter and have been relying heavily on Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford, who are at or close to career highs in innings pitched," McCaffrey wrote. "Nick Pivetta has been good more often than not, but Brayan Bello is having a tough year. If the Red Sox want to contend they need pitching. Craig Breslow knows that and seems willing to add."

Breslow kept his options open weeks heading into the trade deadline and didn't rule out Boston as either a buyer or a seller. The Red Sox suffered their fourth straight loss Monday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, so they'll need reinforcements of some kind to stay in the wild-card chase.

There might be significant action before next week's deadline, and Boston could be in the mix to make a move.