Why This Trade Deadline Is Different For New-Look Red Sox

On the surface, the last few trade deadlines have felt similar for the Boston Red Sox.

In 2022, the Red Sox were exactly .500 (52-52) on the morning of the deadline. The last two years, they were 56-50 both times.

This year, Boston is 59-51 after smashing the Minnesota Twins 13-1 on Wednesday.

Despite the similar records, this year’s trade deadline is considerably different than the last few years.

For starters, the Red Sox are in playoff position at the deadline for the first time since 2021 — the last time they reached the postseason. Part of the reason Boston made the playoffs was because Chaim Bloom added at the deadline, acquiring Kyle Schwarber and two relievers.

According to FanGraphs, the Red Sox are more likely than not (59.8% chance) to reach the postseason. They are not “underdogs,” as Bloom famously called them in 2023.

Another difference is that Boston’s played great baseball leading up to the deadline. After going 6-5 since the All-Star Break against tough opponents, the Red Sox have the best winning percentage (.708) in baseball in July, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers.

They’ve been playing their best baseball of the season this month and are peaking at the right time, going 17-7 in July and 31-19 since the start of June. For the last two months, they’ve looked like a legitimate playoff team and enter the deadline with real momentum.

That wasn’t the case in previous summers. The 2022 squad went 8-19 with a negative-77 run differential in July, squandering its impressive June (20-6) and causing Bloom to rethink his deadline approach. Last year, the Red Sox stumbled out of the break, losing three straight series and going 2-7 to start the second half.

Lastly, Boston’s roster is significantly different this season. The last few years, the Red Sox focused on retaining their top prospects and shied away from making major moves that would have required trading them. Many of them are in the big leagues now alongside new stars (Garrett Crochet, Alex Bregman, Aroldis Chapman) acquired last winter, officially opening Boston’s next title window.

The Red Sox have their best team in four years — a young, talented club on the rise that’s worth investing in. The American League is wide open this year, and Boston could do some serious damage in October if it makes the playoffs.

These Red Sox are different, and this trade deadline is different. The future is here, and the time to go for it is now.