The Boston Red Sox talked a big game when it came to their approach to the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
They didn’t back it up. Now, they’re being raked over the coals nationally.
The Red Sox made a pair of mid-level moves at the deadline, acquiring pitchers Dustin May and Steven Metz. However, the consensus among experts across baseball is that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn’t do enough to improve his team just as it was peaking.
How bad was the criticism? Here’s a roundup of reaction and grades after the deadline:
“Epic fail. Comes off an epic fail at last year’s deadline with Craig Breslow and this was an epic fail as well. … The Red Sox are one of many teams that uses modeling and tries to figure out what the best values are, and it’s all about efficiency and getting the best deal and this and that and the other thing. As some point, you’ve gotta fire.”
David Schoenfield, ESPN | Grade: Loser
The Red Sox added pitchers Dustin May and Steven Matz. Meh. May had a 4.85 ERA while starting for the Dodgers. Matz had a 3.44 ERA pitching in relief for the St. Louis Cardinals. Both have some utility — May gives them a rotation option, and Matz has been a multi-inning reliever — but don’t really alter Boston’s playoff odds, especially factoring in the moves the Yankees and Blue Jays made, or even the Tampa Bay Rays adding a couple of higher-impact pitchers in Adrian Houser and Griffin Jax.”
Andy McCullough, The Athletic | Grade: Snoozer
“The Red Sox added some reinforcements to their pitching staff in the form of Steven Matz and Dustin May. And that was about it for a club that has surged back into the thick of the American League East. Matz has made himself useful in his first season as a reliever. Is May good enough to start a postseason game for Boston? He was unlikely to crack the October rotation for the Dodgers, which made him expendable for the defending champs. It was an underwhelming week for a club that has built momentum on the field.”
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY | Grade: Loser
“Hey, weren’t the Red Sox supposed to do something? They promised. They were going to make this team a legitimate contender. Instead, the trade deadline came and went, and all they did was acquire struggling Dodgers starter Dustin May and swingman Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. It wasn’t nearly enough.”
Jake Mintz, Yahoo Sports | Grade: F
“Their sleepy, lethargic deadline that failed to seriously address any of the flaws on the roster was a borderline insult to a fan base already fed up with Breslow’s robotic, bizarre and uninspiring style. Matz is fine; he’ll help the ‘pen. May is fine; he’ll add rotation depth.”
“People just want action. Like, people want a player. I gotta be honest with you. I don’t care about prospects. … I throw up in my mouth when I hear people talk, upset about Blaze Jordan leaving. How many rookies do you want up here?”
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