The Red Sox upgraded at the MLB trade deadline, dealing for Orioles catcher and three-time All-Star Adley Rutschman in an effort to upgrade behind the plate and at it.
Boston sent catcher Carlos Narváez and three top prospects — including the team’s top two minor-league pitchers — back to Baltimore in the deal. See what the Red Sox gave up here.
The Red Sox also moved on from a former top prospect, dealing 23-year-old Marcelo Mayer to the Giant for reliever Erik Miller. Mayer, Boston’s first-round pick in 2021, struggled to stay healthy in his five seasons in the system.
A dismal start to the season has been flipped on its head, as the Red Sox enjoyed a scorching-hot 28-5 record since June 25. Boston won 15 games in a row, tying the organization’s all-time mark. The Sox hold the second wild-card spot in the AL. FanGraphs gives the Sox an 85.5 percent chance of making the playoffs.
The Sox open a three-game series with the White Sox on Tuesday, then the Athletics come to town for three games.
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All the Red Sox’ moves at the trade deadline
- On Monday, the Red Sox pushed their chips to the middle, acquiring Adley Rutschman from the Orioles in a stunning intra-division move. The Sox had wanted to add an impact bat to the lineup and improve offensively at catcher, a position that had lacked production.
- In exchange for Rutschman, Boston gave up a significant haul. The Red Sox parted with catcher Carlos Narváez, pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfield prospect Enddy Azocar, and a player to be named later.
- Boston moved on from Marcelo Mayer, the infielder whom they drafted No. 4 in 2021. Mayer was sent to the Giants for lefty reliever Erik Miller, bringing an end to an injury-filled tenure for the 23-year-old.
- The Red Sox also sent minor-league pitcher Tyler Uberstine to the Braves for outfielder Eli White.
- Curtis Mead joined the Red Sox lineup as a power-hitting righthanded bat on July 25 in a trade with the Nationals. Lefthanded pitcher Connelly Early went to Washington in the deal. In his second at-bat with the team on July 27, Mead broke his left wrist after being hit by a pitch. He has since been placed on the injured list.
- The Red Sox acquired outfielder Jahmai Jones from the Tigers on July 14. Jones, 28, has hit .385/.467/1.000 in nine games with Boston, adding a pair of home runs. Jojo Ingrassia, a lefthander at High-A Greenville, was the player to be named later to make the trade official.
MLB trade deadline: Red Sox news
Trade deadline reaction from Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow — 8:25 p.m.
By Alex Speier
With the trade deadline dust having settled, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow made clear his objectives with the additions of three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, late-innings reliever Erik Miller, and outfielder Eli White.
“We didn’t want to go through a deadline where we just rearranged the chairs,” said Breslow. “We feel good about our team. They deserve the confidence that we have in them. We did everything we could today to improve. … We wanted to do everything we could to go out and give ourselves the best chance to win the World Series.”
Some highlights from his session:
⋅ The team views Rutschman as “a proven star in this league. … In Adley, you get impact on both sides of the ball. He’s a premium defender, switch-hitter, great fit for our park. … There’s a ton to like about him.”
⋅ Rutschman is on the injured list due to wrist inflammation, but expressed optimism to Breslow about the state of his recovery. That said, Breslow declined to offer a timetable for Rutschman’s availability for big league games until the catcher meets with team medical personnel.
⋅ The Sox gave up a major prospect haul to acquire Rutschman, with righthanders Anthony Eyanson (the No. 2 prospect in the system) and Kyson Witherspoon (No. 3), outfielder Enddy Azocar (No. 5), and big league catcher Carlos Narváez all going to Baltimore. But Breslow said the Sox were guided more by what they were getting than what they were sacrificing. “At this time of year, there are not deals that are comfortable,” he said. “What you’re trying to do is improve your major league team in this season.
⋅ In addition to trading for Rutschman, the Sox created something of a shockwave in dealing former top prospect Marcelo Mayer for Miller, a lefthanded reliever who generates huge strikeout numbers (32 percent strikeout rate). Breslow briefly fumbled in his verb tenses in discussing the decision to trade Mayer. “He is a really big part — or, he was a really big part of this organization,” said Breslow. But Breslow suggested the team was comfortable with other shortstop options in the organization (Andruw Monasterio, rehabbing infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Trevor Story, and Triple-A prospect Franklin Arias), and felt that a deeper bullpen could be a different-maker in the postseason.
Ultimately, Breslow said he weighed a number of factors — including clubhouse dynamics from adding a new player, the adjustment pitchers must make to new catchers, as well as the future cost to the organization. But he repeatedly framed his thinking in a way that offered clarity, describing the Red Sox as a team capable of winning the World Series and wanting to do as much as possible to bolster the roster for an October run.
The deadline is here. Let’s wrap up the final moves. — 6:00 p.m.
A look at what went down around the league in the waning minutes of Monday’s deadline, all reported by ESPN:
- The Padres traded for star RHP Casey Mize of the Tigers.
- The Yankees traded for OF Heliot Ramos from the Giants.
- The Guardians added starting pitcher Foster Griffin from the Nationals and former Red Sox Nathaniel Lowe from the Reds.
- The Twins acquired reliever Jeff Hoffman from the Blue Jays.
- The Cardinals traded outfielder Lars Nootbaar to the Diamondbacks.
- The Marlins sent infielder Connor Norby and RHP Aiden May to the Marlins for RHP Victor Vodnik. The Marlins also traded RHP Lake Bachar to the Pirates.
Marcelo Mayer’s Red Sox career comes to a stunning end — 5:50 p.m.
By Tim Healey
Getting dealt to the Giants — for a potentially good reliever, but still a reliever — is stunning conclusion to Marcelo Mayer’s career with the Red Sox.
When they drafted him fourth overall in 2021, Mayer was supposed to be the shortstop of the future, a two-way impact player presented as a foundational piece of the Sox’ rebuild under Chaim Bloom.
He had trouble staying on the field, though, particularly because of shoulder and wrist injuries, and has never played more than 91 games in a season — and even that high-water mark came way back in 2022. Still, he ascended the minor league ladder as one of the Sox’ ballyhooed Big Three/Four prospects.
Mayer had played in only 43 games in Triple-A before the Red Sox brought him to the majors at a moment of sudden need, when Alex Bregman was sidelined by injury in May 2025.
He held his own defensively but never found his stride at the plate — and then in July suffered a wrist injury that required surgery.
This year, then-manager Alex Cora was consistent throughout spring training: Mayer needed to earn his spot on the Opening Day roster. He made the team as a platoon second baseman, shifted back to shortstop when Trevor Story got hurt, and in late June went on the injured list with a stress injury in his left forearm.
What the Red Sox are getting back in the Mayer deal — 5:45 p.m.
By Tim Healey
The Sox’ reported return for Marcelo Mayer, Erik Miller, is a lefthanded reliever whose strikeout rate has shot up this season (to 31.7 percent from 17.2 last year). San Francisco had dabbled with Miller in high-leverage spots, and with the Sox he figures to join — with a chance to surpass — Jovani Morán as the go-to southpaws out of the bullpen.
Miller fits Craig Breslow’s mold for desired pitchers, which is to say: he is a big guy, listed at 6-foot-5-inches and 269 pounds. He is a sinker/slider pitcher, with a sinker averaging 97 miles per hour.
The Red Sox are also acquiring minor-league outfielder Carlos Gutierrez, a top-20 prospect in the Giants’ system per MLB.com.
Red Sox trade Marcelo Mayer to Giants — 5:30 p.m.
The Red Sox are trading infielder Marcelo Mayer to the Giants for lefty reliever Erik Miller, a source confirmed to the Globe.
It marks the end to a heralded-but-eventually disappointing era for Mayer, who was selected by Boston as the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft.
His debut on May 24 last season was treated like a coronation. There were photos of him carrying his equipment bag out of Polar Park in Worcester, followed by breathless updates about him arriving at Fenway Park.
He has since hit .223 with a .625 OPS and struck out 85 times over 114 games and 364 plate appearances. Defensive metrics show Mayer to be a slightly above-average second baseman and below average when he plays shortstop. — Peter Abraham and Alex Speier
Red Sox add Eli White from Atlanta —5:10 p.m.
By Alex Speier
The Red Sox are acquiring outfielder Eli White from Atlanta for Tyler Uberstine.
White, 32, is a righthanded hitting outfielder who is hitting .233/.285/.406 with five homers this year. He has been handling lefties (.241/.312/.446) while struggling against righties (.220/.235/.340).
Uberstine has played in one big-league game, a 2⅔-inning middle-relief appearance in April. The Red Sox lost.
Red Sox make Rutschman trade official — 5:05 p.m.
The Red Sox officially announced their trade to acquire Adley Rutschman on Monday, with Boston receiving Rutschman and fellow catcher Jake Rogers in exchange for catcher Carlos Narváez, pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfield prospect Enddy Azocar, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
More pitchers (and a catcher) on the move — 5:00 p.m.
It’s been a busy deadline for those needing a little pitching.
The Cubs made a move for righthander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Mets, sending New York infielder Jefferson Rojas in return.
The Rays are also reportedly acquiring righthanded reliever Tyler Wells from the selling Orioles.
On the catcher market, the White Sox are reportedly dealing for the Braves’ Joey Bart, who was once the No. 2 pick in the MLB Draft back in 2018.
Astros acquiring Blue Jays CF Daulton Varsho — 4:30 p.m.
The Blue Jays are doing a bit of selling amid a disappointing year, shipping center fielder Daulton Varsho to Houston, according to ESPN.
After a career-high .833 OPS last season, Varsho has struggled at the plate this year, slashing just .243/.307/.375.
Red Sox still pursuing options at shortstop — 4:20 p.m.
By Alex Speier
With Adley Rutschman in the fold, the Red Sox continue to pursue upgrades at shortstop.
A flurry of pitching moves elsewhere — 4:00 p.m.
As the smoke clears from the Red Sox’ trade for Adley Rutschman, the rest of the league is swapping arms.
The Pirates are acquiring righthander reliever Luke Weaver from the Mets to bolster a struggling bullpen. Weaver has posted a 1.84 ERA in 42 appearances for New York.
Elsewhere, the Cubs picked up lefthander Braxton Garrett from the Marlins and righthander Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels.
The Brewers picked up two pitchers from the Cardinals: righthander Dustin May, who had a cup of coffee with the Red Sox last season, and lefthander JoJo Romero.
Abraham: Worth shaking up Sox battery for Rutschman — 3:20 p.m.
By Peter Abraham
My initial thought when I heard the Red Sox were interested in acquiring a catcher was that it might not be wise given how well they have pitched this season.
Maybe it would be best to live with the lack of offense from Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong because of how well they have worked with the staff.
But Adley Rutschman is the exception to that idea.
Rutschman is a highly regarded defensive catcher and known for building a strong rapport with pitchers and his leadership qualities. He obviously arrives with plentiful knowledge of American League East opponents.
Rutschman is not a perfect acquisition. He’s on the injured list with inflammation in his left wrist and has lost playing time to Samuel Basallo this season.
But he has a career .756 OPS and is a power threat. It’s stunning to me that the Orioles traded the first overall pick of the 2019 draft to a division rival.
More on the prospects the Red Sox sent to Baltimore — 3:15 p.m.
By Alex Speier
Righthander Anthony Eyanson stands as the Sox’ top pitching prospect. The 2025 third-rounder has made huge gains this year thanks to strength and velocity upticks, and arm slot adjustments that have created an unusual vertical attack that has given hitters fits (1.13 ERA in 63⅔ innings).
His velocity and prospect stock have tapered a bit as the season has progressed, though. Will he be a pitcher who holds mid-90s and touches the upper-90s, or one who eventually settles around 93 miles per hour and touches 95? How teams answer that question would influence his value.
Still, Eyanson looks like a future big league starter. The velocity question — as well as the development of a reliable east-west weapon — likely will determine whether his future is in the back or front of a rotation. If last year is a guide, that’s a player good enough to anchor a trade for a long-term, controllable late-innings arm, or a back-end starter with multiple years of control.
Righthander Kyson Witherspoon (5.01 ERA, 24 percent strikeout rate) has had an up-and-down year in High-A Greenville, but has shown flashes of the ability that made him a 2025 first-rounder.
Outfielder Enddy Azocar has had a strong year in Single-A Salem and Greenville, and has one of the more complete tool kits in the system.
Sources: Red Sox give up top prospects for Rutschman — 3:05 p.m.
By Tim Healey and Alex Speier
Sources tell the Globe: In exchange for Rutschman and catcher Jake Rogers, the Red Sox are sending catcher Carlos Narváez, pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfeld prospect Enddy Azocar, and a player to be named later.
Rogers was just dealt to the Orioles by the Tigers on Thursday.
Why the Sox view Rutschman as an upgrade behind the plate — 3:00 p.m.
By Alex Speier
There’s a lot for the Red Sox to like about Adley Rutschman.
He’s a switch-hitter with postseason experience, grades as an excellent defensive catcher, and is praised for his leadership. His ability to manage the strike zone makes him a tough at-bat from both sides of the plate. He also pulls the ball in the air at an above-average clip (19 percent), suggesting power potential beyond what he’s shown this year.
For the Sox, the opportunity to achieve a massive offensive upgrade behind the plate proved too compelling to ignore. Their catchers – primarily Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez – have combined this year to post a .219/.305/.310 slash line with four homers, the fewest longballs of any big league team’s backstops.
As such, Rutschman appealed to the Sox both for what he might be able to contribute this year and potentially next. He is under team control through the 2027 season.
Red Sox trade for Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman — 2:45 p.m.
By Alex Speier
With visions of a deep October run stoked by one of the greatest stretches in team history, the Red Sox moved to reinforce their roster on Monday, landing Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, a league source confirmed to the Globe.
The return for the Rutschman is not yet known.
Rutschman, 28, is a three-time All-Star who finished in the top-10 in AL MVP voting in 2023, at a time when he appeared to be part of the backbone of an emerging Orioles core.
Instead, his approach and impact waned in 2024 and 2025.
This year, he’d experienced something of a bounceback in Baltimore, returning to the All-Star Game while hitting .251/.331/.433 with eight homers, an 11 percent walk rate, and a 14 percent strikeout rate. He’s been on the injured list since July 18 with left wrist inflammation, but is expected back soon – a circumstance somewhat reminiscent of the last impact upgrade the Sox made at the deadline, when they added Kyle Schwarber (then on the IL) in 2021.
Rays add one of the Red Sox’ catching targets, Liam Hicks, in trade with Marlins — 2:10 p.m.
By Tim Healey
Even before the Red Sox’ talks with the Orioles for Adley Rutschman got real — we’ll see how that sorts out this afternoon — their being linked to the Marlins’ Liam Hicks never made much sense. The Marlins reportedly just dealt Hicks, who also plays first and DHs, to the Rays.
Hicks, ostensibly a catcher, rates as mediocre at best defensively and has been behind the plate about once a week for Miami lately. He has crushed righthanders (.307/.387/.489) but struggled against lefties (.200/.278/.238).
How often would he have caught for the Sox? Would that have been worth disrupting the existing backstop pair of Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez, who have helped guide an excellent pitching staff? Or would Hicks have been a platoon DH against righties, bumping Masataka Yoshida?
Now, none of it matters. Surely the mix-and-match, figure-it-out Rays will make the most of Hicks; it’ll be interesting to see how often he is behind the plate amid their quest to win the AL East. Rutschman makes more sense — even with some health/performance questions — for the Sox if they pull it off.
Padres pick up Robbie Ray from Giants — 2:05 p.m.
by Cam Kerry
The Giants, who traded Luiz Arraez earlier today, dealt the lefthander to their division rivals, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Ray, 34, has posted a 10-6 record with a 3.06 ERA this season.
A two-time All-Star, Ray won the 2021 AL Cy Young with the Blue Jays.
The Padres’ rotation has undergone some serious injuries, with Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta, and Joe Musgrove all on the injured list. San Diego is one game out of the final NL wild card spot.
Guardians acquire Jo Adell from the Angels — 1:10 p.m.
By Cam Kerry
Angels interim general manager John Mozeliak continued to rebuild the Halos, sending Adell, the power-hitting outfielder to Cleveland, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Adell, hitting .236 this season, has 16 home runs to go along with 62 RBIs after hitting 37 long-balls a year ago.
Adell, who hits unrestricted free agency in 2028, has spent all seven seasons with the Angels. He was the team’s first-round selection (10th overall) in 2017.
Orioles make a trade, send Taylor Ward to the Mariners — 12:40 p.m.
By Cam Kerry
With the Red Sox and Orioles having discussions around catcher Adley Rutschman, Baltimore completed another trade, dealing outfielder Taylor Ward to Seattle, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Ward, acquired this past offseason from the Angels, owns a .246/.383/.346 line with seven home runs and 30 RBIs. Ward has been able to get on base, thanks to an AL-leading 87 walks. His power numbers have dipped drastically after clubbing 36 homers a year ago.
Ward will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He joins a Mariners club that is 55-58 and two games out of the final wild card spot, occupied currently by the Guardians.
Red Sox, Orioles discussing deal for Adley Rutschman — 12:20 p.m.
By Alex Speier
With visions of a deep October run stoked by one of the greatest stretches in team history, the Red Sox are in talks about the possibility of acquiring longtime division rival Adley Rutschman from the Orioles. Multiple major league sources confirmed the talks between the Sox and Orioles, with one suggesting a deal “could happen” prior to today’s 6 p.m. trade deadline.
Rutschman, 28, is a three-time All-Star who finished in the top-10 in AL MVP voting in 2023, at a time when he appeared to be part of the backbone of an emerging Orioles core. Instead, his approach and impact waned in 2024 and 2025.
News of the talks between the Sox and Orioles was first reported by both Joel Sherman of MLB Network and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Once again, the Red Sox endured a travel mess — 11:45 a.m.
By Alex Speier
Part of the Red Sox’ 2026 identity has been forged thanks to travel derailments. Twice — once leaving Colorado in late-June, and again leaving Chicago for New York in early July — the team has endured lengthy delays that fueled a “show-and-go” approach of late reporting times and no on-field batting practice. Those logistical snafus have coincided with the team’s remarkable run that has propelled them from the AL East basement into playoff position.
Perhaps, then, it is fitting that on the eve of the trade deadline, the Sox once again endured a travel mess. Plane issues once again delayed the team in departing from Los Angeles after concluding a three-game sweep of the Dodgers, and so the team didn’t land back in Boston until late on Monday morning.
The Sox have an off-day on Monday before kicking off a three-game series against the White Sox on Tuesday. It seems safe to assume there will be a late reporting time to Fenway prior to the series opener.
When they do return, the roster could be somewhat reconfigured with Monday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline looming. For what it’s worth, members of the front office stayed back in Boston during the just-completed seven-game roadtrip.
Phillies add Luis Arraez from the Giants — 10:00 a.m.
By Cam Kerry
The Giants, mired in a disappointing campaign, shipped out free-agent-to-be Luis Arraez to the Phillies, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The 5-foot-10-inch infielder leads the league with a .324 batting average.
Arraez, a three-time batting title winner and two-time Silver Slugger, picked up his fourth All-Star nod this season. He has struck out just 21 times in 464 plate appearances in the 2026 campaign.
The Phillies will be Arraez’s fifth franchise that he’s played for. Philadelphia trails Atlanta by eight games in the National League East race and currently occupies the third wild spot in the NL.
Blue Jays acquire José Soriano from the Angels — 9:50 a.m.
By Cam Kerry
A day after shipping righthander Kevin Gausman to the Cubs, the Blue Jays swung the bat themselves, adding José Soriano from the Angels, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Soriano, 27, has enjoyed the best season of his career. He’s posted a 9-6 record with a 3.26 ERA. He was scratched from Saturday’s start ahead of Monday’s deadline.
The Angels received shortstop Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and righthander Angel Rivero from the Blue Jays. MLB.com pegged Nimmala as the No. 2 prospect in Toronto’s system.
Even with a 52-60 record and sitting at the bottom of a very competitive American League East, the Blue Jays still decided to make an impact addition.
Taking stock of the Red Sox ahead of the 6. p.m. trade deadline — 8:45 a.m.
By Alex Speier
The end is nigh! With a 6 p.m. trade deadline looming,teams face a scramble for last-minute upgrades to improve for a final regular season push towards — and, for some, through — October.
The Red Sox, who swept the Dodgers over the weekend to win their eighth straight series and improve to 60-51, including a staggering 28-5 record since June 25, now occupy a shockingly solid playoff position. They hold the second wild card spot, four games ahead of the possessor of the third and final spot (the Guardians) and five games ahead of the next closest team (the Twins). FanGraphs gives the Sox an 85.5 percent chance of making the playoffs, Baseball-Reference.com pegs them with a 95.9 percent chance of doing so, and Baseball Prospectus gives the club a 68.2 percent likelihood.
The Sox have been eyeing ways of turning a remarkable regular season surge into something that can endure in October. And despite the team having played for nearly six weeks as if it can never lose, the desire to upgrade the offense has been consistent.
Towards that end, the Sox got a jump on trade deadline activity. They acquired Jahmai Jones from the Tigers during the All-Star break, and Jones — whose struggles in Detroit were so extreme that he was designated for assignment — has immediately emerged as a quality complementary contributor, hitting .385/.467/1.000. In nine games with the Sox, he has as many homers (2) and extra-base hits (4) as he had in 57 contests with the Tigers.
Then, on July 25, the Sox traded lefthander Connelly Early for infielder Curtis Mead, a former top prospect who’d struggled through his initial seasons in the big leagues but who had enjoyed a breakout with the Nationals this year, hitting 17 homers. But Mead suffered a broken wrist when he was hit by a pitch in his second plate appearance with the Sox, and is out until at least mid-September, and possibly the rest of the regular season.
Functionally, the Sox’ pre-deadline upgrade is thus Jones. Meanwhile, American League competitors have started adding to the their own rosters. The Sox’ primary AL East rivals both made notable moves on Sunday, with the Rays adding righthander Freddy Peralta from the Mets (sputtering through a 5-9, 4.99 season, but one year removed from going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA for the Brewers) and the Yankees landing first baseman/DH Luis Garcia (.283/.513/.560 with 23 homers) from the Nationals.
For all of the last two weeks — even in the brief window between when the Sox acquired Mead and when he was injured — the Sox have been aiming high in their search for bats. Even while the offense has experienced an awakening during the streak (5.1 runs per game since June 25), there’s a significant desire to add consistent bats – and especially power – to the lineup for October, when so many games are determined by a single swing.
The Sox have been connected to virtually every shortstop and catcher on the market – some unavailable (Elly De La Cruz, Otto Lopez), and some who remain available in the right deal (C.J. Abrams, Zach Neto, Liam Hicks, Francisco Alvarez, Hunter Goodman, among others).
But it’s one thing to have conversations, and quite another to consummate a deal – particularly at a time when most of the Sox’ targets have been players who are under team control beyond the 2026 season, thus making it easier for negotiating teams to set a high bar and refuse to adjust it.
Last year, the Sox made a significant push for controllable Twins All-Star starter Joe Ryan. It didn’t come to fruition, and the Sox had to scramble to address their rotation needs by adding rental starter Dustin May from the Dodgers. May ended up getting injured and contributing little.
This year, the Sox added a long-term bat in Mead – but with no guarantee he’ll contribute in 2026. That uncertainty places considerable pressure on the front office to do what it hasn’t been able to do since the acquisition of Kyle Schwarber in 2021: make a meaningful roster upgrade by the 6 p.m. deadline.
Marcelo Mayer’s value is dropping — 8:00 a.m.
By Peter Abraham
Marcelo Mayer’s debut with the Red Sox on May 24 last season was treated like a coronation. There were photos of him carrying his equipment bag out of Polar Park in Worcester, followed by breathless updates about him arriving at Fenway Park.
He has since hit .223 with a .625 OPS and struck out 85 times over 114 games and 364 plate appearances. Defensive metrics show Mayer to be a slightly above-average second baseman and below average when he plays shortstop.
Yet you still see his name mentioned as a trade chip because he was the fourth pick of the 2021 draft and is only 23.
But counting games at all levels, Mayer has averaged only 81 a season since 2022, topping out at 91 in 2022. That could change if he returns this season, but Mayer needs to shake the label of not being able to stay on the field.
Remember back in spring training when Alex Cora wouldn’t say Mayer had made the team until the final few days of camp? The former manager was criticized in some circles for being too tough on Mayer. Turns out he was on to something, and the Sox have dedicated much of their trade deadline work to finding a shortstop.
If Mayer has any trade value at this stage, it would be as a throw-in.
The ’21 draft was a mess. Caleb Durbin, a 14th-round pick, has been worth more bWAR than all but six position players taken ahead of him.
No, the Dodgers aren’t ruining baseball — 7:30 a.m.
LOS ANGELES — Sorry, but the Dodgers didn’t ruin baseball by trading for Tarik Skubal. If anything, they made the rest of this season more compelling.
The Dodgers, trying to become the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to win three championships in a row, will be great theater in October. But it would be even more captivating if they get knocked off along the way.
Adding to an already powerful roster improved the odds of the Dodgers winning again. But they were one spectacular ninth-inning catch by Andy Pages away from losing Game 7 of the World Series against the Blue Jays last season.
Nothing is guaranteed in the postseason. Just ask the 2004 Yankees, who are still sore about that season.
Your complaint should not be with the Dodgers. It should be with the other contenders who didn’t step up to prevent Skubal from going to them.
The Dodgers sent the Tigers three prospects: righthanders River Ryan and Brady Smith, and outfielder Zyhir Hope. MLB Pipeline had Hope 25th and Ryan 68th on its top 100 list. Smith is not in the top 100 and ranked 17th among Dodgers prospects.
The Brewers have five players in the top 100. The Braves, Phillies, and Red Sox are among the teams with three. Skubal will make roughly $11 million the rest of the season, and every team could afford that.
The Dodgers are focused on winning, not hoarding prospects.
“Whenever there’s a star-level player that is available that can really shift championship odds, those are the moments that we’ll be more aggressive,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on Sunday before the Red Sox beat the Dodgers, 8-4, to complete a three-game sweep.
“We’ve tried in other instances and not lined up, and others where we have. But I think being by the backboard and doing everything we can to put ourselves in the best position with the core we have right now, with the way they go about their preparation to do everything they can to win a championship.”
That ethic should be celebrated, not criticized.
The Red Sox have acted that way before. Ownership empowered Theo Epstein to build a winner after the bitter disappointment of the 2003 season. Epstein wrested Curt Schilling away from the Diamondbacks and signed him to what at the time was considered a huge three-year, $37.5 million contract extension.
Did the Red Sox ruin baseball when they finally beat the Yankees?
How the Dodgers landed Skubal — 7:00 a.m.
By Tim Healey
LOS ANGELES — Sequestered in a wide-open American League, done with the Dodgers after this weekend, Chad Tracy took a practical approach to the two-time defending World Series champions acquiring two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
“I don’t know what else to say other than he’s really good. He’s obviously one of the best pitchers of baseball, and they got him. So, good for them,” the Red Sox’ interim manager said Sunday before his team completed a sweep with an 8-4 victory.
“Looks like they’re going to be positioned to have a pretty good rotation, and we don’t play them anymore after today unless we get to the World Series. So we’ll deal with it then.”
The swap — with pitcher River Ryan, outfield prospect Zyhir Hope, and pitching prospect Brady Smith going to Detroit — was the talk of the baseball world Sunday, perhaps no place more so than Dodger Stadium.
Skubal was perhaps the Dodgers’ only target ahead of the trade deadline at 6 p.m. Monday. Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, said talks began Friday and concluded during the Red Sox’ 3-2 win Saturday night.
“We were of the mind to be aggressive on one player this deadline, and fortunately we were able to line up,” Friedman said.
The Dodgers were still abuzz Sunday morning.
“We got better,” Edwin Diaz said. “We got a real chance to win another World Series.”
Fellow reliever Miguel Rojas said: “I really appreciate the front office and ownership that we have, because they committed the way we committed.”
Heading into the deadline, the Red Sox hadn’t made any major moves since the July 26 Curtis Mead trade. Plenty remained possible, though, as they sought potential upgrades at shortstop and/or catcher and considered bolstering the pitching staff.
“Everybody in baseball that’s a baseball fan follows it and you see what’s going down,” Tracy said. “But nothing’s changed our routine. We have a job to do here, and if something happens, I’m sure I’ll hear from [chief baseball officer Craig Breslow].”
Braves boost rotation depth with Tyler Mahle — 11:50 p.m.
By Associated Press
The Braves moved to bolster their rotation only hours after placing righthander Reynaldo López on the 15-day injured list by acquiring righthander Tyler Mahle from the Giants on Sunday night.
Mahle, 31, was 3-9 with a 5.14 ERA in 18 games with the Giants this season. The Braves sent righthander Anthony Molina to the Giants. The Giants optioned Molina to Triple-A Sacramento.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said he was interested that Mahle was 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA in four starts in July.
“We actually talked with him as a free agent when he signed with the Rangers [before the 2024 season],” Anthopoulos said in a conference call following the trade. “He’s had good success in the past.”
For his 10-year career, Mahle is 42-55 with a 4.19 ERA.
Molina, 24, had a 5.40 ERA in three games with Atlanta this season but spent most of the season with Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves selected Molina off waivers from the Rockies in December.
Cubs adding Kevin Gausman from Blue Jays — 9:50 p.m.
By Keith Pearson, Globe correspondent
Multiple reports say the Cubs are trading for Blue Jays righthander Kevin Gausman in a bid to boost their rotation.
Gausman spent the past five seasons in Toronto and was excellent during the Blue Jays’ run to the American League pennant last year. In six postseason appearances, he was 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA and a 0.913 WHIP over 30⅔ innings.
Much like the Blue Jays, Gausman has struggled this season, going 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in an AL-high 23 starts. He is on pace to make at least 30 starts for the ninth time in 11 seasons (2019, shortened 2020).
The Cubs are 6½ games behind the Brewers in the NL Central, and have a four-game lead for the top wild-card spot.
Toronto will reportedly receive Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and High-A shortstop Ty Southisene.
The teams made a swap earlier in the day with the Blue Jays receiving struggling righthander Jameson Taillon and cash considerations in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Cubs designated Taillon for assignment last week. The 34-year-old is 2-6 with a career-worst 5.92 ERA in 15 starts this season and has allowed 25 home runs in just 76 innings.
Dodgers clubhouse abuzz after acquiring Tarik Skubal — 4:05 p.m.
By Tim Healey, Globe Staff
LOS ANGELES — Before their series finale against the Red Sox, the Dodgers are still abuzz in their clubhouse over the club’s acquisition of Tarik Skubal, the biggest prize of the trade deadline.
Miguel Rojas said he was bummed Saturday night after the Dodgers lost a second in a row to the Sox, clinching a series loss. And then the news broke.
“We got better,” Edwin Diaz said. “We got a real chance to win another World Series.”
Rojas said: “I really appreciate the front office and ownership that we have, because they committed the way we committed.”
The teams will play again at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a pitching matchup of Jake Bennett versus Boston College alumnus Emmet Sheehan.
Mets reportedly deal Freddy Peralta to the Rays — 2:00 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
After a disappointing first season with the Mets, Freddy Peralta is headed to the American League East.
First reported by Will Sammon of the Athletic and later confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the 30-year-old righthander will join the Rays.
Peralta, a two-time All-Star with the Brewers, sports a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, well over his career mark of 3.74.
Peralta will team up with Drew Rasmussen, Shane McLanahan, and more on the Rays, who enter the day first place in the AL East.
The Red Sox, hot on the tail of their divisional rivals, will have to deal with the Rays’ improved rotation. In two career starts against Boston, Peralta is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 15 innings, striking out 16 and issuing 10 free passes.
He faced the Sox on July 11, surrendering two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, walking five and fanning six.
Peralta is in the final year of a five-year contract. He went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA with the Brewers last season.
Marlins not inclined to deal Otto Lopez, but would listen on Liam Hicks — 1:25 p.m.
By Alex Speier, Globe Staff
With Monday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline looming, there’s greater clarity about available targets for the Red Sox as they look to bolster their offense. According to multiple major league sources, the Marlins — who entered Sunday trailing the Phillies for the final wild card spot by just 1 1/2 games —are showing no inclination to move shortstop Otto Lopez, their All-Star who has hit .322/.355/.481 with nine homers, 44 extra-base hits, and 22 steals. Lopez remains under team control through 2029. The Sox have been engaged at various points — including in the past week — with the Marlins about Lopez, but Miami isn’t inclined to make everyone available.
While Miami is trying to avoid dealing long-term centerpieces, they would consider dealing catcher Liam Hicks, who has posted a .283/.364/.434 line with 14 homers this year. Because the Marlins have rookie Joe Mack as their everyday catcher, Hicks is primarily a DH for Miami, who catches roughly one game per week. He could be more valuable to another team that would give him more frequent work behind the dish. Hicks, 27, has four years of additional service time beyond this year, so any deal involving him would require a significant return. The Sox, whose catchers have combined to post a .221/.305/.312 line with four homers (fewest by any team in the majors), have shown interest in Hicks and other catchers in recent days while trying to find ways to improve their offense.
Franklin Arias out of the WooSox lineup Sunday — 11:30 a.m.
By Alex Speier, Globe Staff
Franklin Arias is not in the WooSox lineup today - but per a source, it was a scheduled day off after he’d played the first five games of the series (Arias has been on a 4-5 games a week schedule throughout this year). That said, the Red Sox have certainly been open to considering deals involving him in advance of the deadline. That doesn’t mean he will get dealt, but as was the case both last year at the deadline (Joe Ryan) and this offseason (Ketel Marte), he’s not untouchable as the Sox seek upgrades prior to Monday’s deadline.
‘No surprise, right?’ The rich get richer as LA adds Skubal — 8:00 a.m.
By Peter Abraham
LOS ANGELES — As the Red Sox were filing into the visiting clubhouse at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, the news lit up their phones:
The Dodgers had traded for Tarik Skubal.
“No surprise, right?” said Ceddanne Rafaela, whose two solo home runs lifted the Sox to a 3-2 victory against the Dodgers. “I knew they would do something.”
That’s how all of baseball felt. Once the Tigers made their ace available, the Dodgers became the favorites to acquire him. They sent Detroit righthanders River Ryan and Brady Smith along with outfielder Zyhir Hope.
All three are prized prospects, but the Dodgers are the ultimate win-now team as they seek a third consecutive World Series championship. No team has done that since the Derek Jeter Yankees from 1998-2000.
Skubal has won back-to-back Cy Young Awards and is 38-15 with a 2.40 ERA over the last three seasons. He also has a 2.04 ERA in six postseason starts and struck out 56 over 39⅔ innings.
Skubal is a combination of power and precision, brushing triple digits with his fastball and having command of a killer changeup.
Now the Dodgers can line up Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani as a postseason rotation with Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Emmett Sheehan, and Justin Wrobleski among their many other options.
Skubal also will allow them to use Ohtani carefully in the regular season as he deals with knee and biceps injuries. He has not pitched since July 3, but all that matters for the Dodgers is that he’s ready for October.
The backdrop to all this is how adeptly the Dodgers swing their financial hammer. Skubal will make roughly $11 million the rest of the season, pushing their luxury tax payroll over $440 million.
Dodgers win Tarik Skubal sweepstakes — 12:50 a.m.
By Staff and wire reports
The Dodgers are reportedly acquiring two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Tigers for three prospects.
ESPN is reporting the Tigers will receive outfielder Zyhir Hope, righthander River Ryan, and righthander Brady Smith.
Hope, 21, is hitting .293/.369/.899 at Double-A Tulsa with 23 home runs and 87 RBIs in 94 games.
Ryan, 27, has made eight starts this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He missed all of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Smith, 21, was recently promoted from Single-A Ontario to High-A Great Lakes. In 21 starts between the two stops, he is 0-7 with a 4.36 ERA and 113 strikeouts over 74⅓ innings.
Skubal, however, is the big piece, and he gives the Dodgers a healthy arm to stick at the top of the rotation. In 16 starts with the Tigers this season, he is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA with 116 strikeouts over 96⅔ innings.
He missed more than a month earlier in the season following left elbow surgery.
Last season, Skubal was 13-6 with an AL-best 2.21 ERA and 0.891 WHIP to beat out Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet for the Cy Young Award.
Skubal was even better in 2024, going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings for his first Cy Young.
Since the start of the 2023 season, the lefthander has a 2.46 ERA and averaging just under 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
Braves add Lane Thomas to outfield mix — 11:30 p.m.
By Associated Press
The Braves acquired outfielder Lane Thomas and minor league lefthander Bailey Falter from the Royals in exchange for two minor league pitchers on Saturday.
Thomas, 30, is slashing .230/.325/.392 in 96 games this year. He has played mostly center field in Kansas City, but will move over to left field in Atlanta and likely platoon with Mike Yastrzemski. Thomas is a career .288 hitter against lefthanded pitching.
Thomas will join the Braves on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series against the Marlins.
Falter will report to Triple-A Gwinnett, according to Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos.
Mariners shake things up, send Luis Castillo to White Sox — 11:05 p.m.
By Associated Press
The Mariners have traded righthander Luis Castillo to the White Sox in exchange for righthander Seranthony Domínguez, outfielder Nolan Jones, catching prospect Boston Smith and cash considerations, the Mariners announced Saturday night.
The struggling Mariners, who are four games below .500 and trail the Astros by three games in the AL West, elected to part ways with one of their longest tenured players ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.
The White Sox, meanwhile, lead the AL Central by 2½ games with a 58-52 record.
Castillo, 33, is under contract through the 2027 season with a vesting option for 2028. He is 3-9 with 86 strikeouts and a 5.06 ERA across 99⅔ innings.
Trade talks simmer until the last minute — 11:05 p.m.
By Tim Healey, Globe Staff
Happy 43-hour countdown, all.
I enjoyed this chart, from Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman, showing the pace of trades in recent years.
Almost all of the good stuff happens in the last two days, so do not fret that the Red Sox have been quiet so far (their ill-fated early strike with the Nationals for Curtis Mead last weekend notwithstanding).
Last year, the Sox got Steven Matz (from the Cardinals) late at night on the day before the trade deadline. They got Dustin May (from the Dodgers) in the minutes before the deadline.
Giants’ Luis Arraez late scratch from lineup with cramps — 9:35 p.m.
By Associated Press
Giants second baseman Luis Arraez, who’s among the top trade candidates as Monday’s deadline approaches, was scratched from the lineup Saturday night due to cramps minutes before the game against the Padres.
The Giants said it was a precaution after the leadoff batter came out of Friday night’s game in the seventh inning with cramps. Arraez led the majors with a .328 batting average coming into Saturday night.
Will the Red Sox go all-in, or make smaller moves to upgrade the roster? — 4:52 p.m.
By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff
Through Friday, the Red Sox have won three straight, five of six, 21 of 24, and 26 of 31. It’s a remarkable run. They had the second-worst record in the majors on June 24, and now they’re tied for the seventh-best.
I can’t help but wonder if Craig Breslow will work around the edges of the roster instead of making a major trade. There is something to be said for letting this group cook. Add to the bullpen, get a depth starter, and improve the infield depth and see what happens.
That said, it would be fun to see George Springer and Luis Arraez at Fenway on Tuesday.
Angels’ José Soriano scratched from Saturday start — 4:35 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
Hours before the team’s game against the Brewers, the Angels made the decision to scratch righthanded starter José Soriano.
A prime trade candidate, Soriano owns a 9-6 record with a 3.29 ERA on a sputtering Angels team, who sit last in the American League with a 42-68 mark.
Righthander Brent Suter will open a bullpen game for Los Angeles.
The Angels dealt catcher Logan O’Hoppe and righthanded reliever Chase Silseth to the Rangers on Wednesday.
Jojo Ingrassia traded from Red Sox to Tigers to finalize Jahmai Jones deal — 3:25 p.m
By Alex Speier, Globe Staff
The Red Sox are sending lefthanded pitcher Jojo Ingrassia to the Tigers as the player to be named in the Jahmai Jones trade. Ingrassia, 24, had a 3.27 ERA and 33 percent strikeout rate in High-A Greenville this year.
Pirates, Yankees reportedly strike a deal for Camilo Doval — 3:15 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
The Pirates reportedly acquired righthanded reliever Camilo Doval from the Yankees.
Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees get back a pair of prospects for Doval.
The flame-throwing Doval has recorded a 4.54 ERA this season. He’s fallen out of favor in high-leverage situations, posting just one save and four holds this season.
The 29-year-old joined New York at the trade deadline a season ago. Doval has experience as a closer with the Giants, where he led the league with 39 saves as an All-Star in 2023.
Will the Skubal Sweepstakes affect the Red Sox? — 2:30 p.m.
By Tim Healey, Globe Staff
Look at the teams most often bandied about as potential destinations for the Tigers’ ace and/or reportedly looking to upgrade their rotation (in no particular order): Brewers, Dodgers, Rays, Braves, Phillies, Cubs.
Only one of those is in the American League. So unless Skubal lands with the Rays, who have led the AL East for a month, it probably won’t be the Sox’ problem — on the field down the stretch, in the standings as they fight for wild-card (and division?) positioning, and on the field again in October for the first three rounds.
But if Skubal does go to Tampa Bay … it raises the degree of difficulty for the Sox. Their division odds would get that much longer, not to mention the issue of facing him in a potential short postseason series.
At the moment, none of the clubs around the Red Sox in the wild-card race seem to be competing for Skubal: Yankees, Guardians, Twins, Rangers, Orioles.
Brewers acquire Bo Naylor from the Guardians — 12:35 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
The Brewers and Guardians agreed to a deal that sends catcher Bo Naylor and righthander Codi Heuer to Milwaukee in exhange for outfielder Blake Perkins and righthander Craig Yoho.
Naylor and Heuer were both assigned to Triple-A Nashville following the move.
Naylor has spent his entire professional career with the Guardians, yet has struggled offensively. He was sent down after the Guardians brought in Patrick Bailey from the Giants.
Heuer, 30, was 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA in eight relief appearances.
Yoho was 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 15 appearances across three stints with the Brewers this season. The righthander throws from a 19 degree arm angle, generating plenty of run towards righthanded hitters.
Perkins, a 29-year-old outfielder, was a Gold Glove finalist two years ago. Lacking offensive punch, the switchhitter had a .157 batting average in 55 games with the Brewers this season.
Could Tarik Skubal be on the move? — 12:00 p.m.
By Peter Abraham
It’s not often a back-to-back Cy Young Award winner gets put on the market, but Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris will not make the same mistake the Angels did with Shohei Ohtani and get only a draft pick when he leaves as a free agent.
Tarik Skubal is the biggest name on the midseason trade market in several years. Jahmai Jones played parts of two seasons in Detroit before he was traded to the Red Sox on July 14. He said the situation was roiling the Tigers.
“Unbelievable talent and a better person,” Jones said of Skubal. “For a guy like him, drafted by Detroit, home-grown, has only known Detroit, that decision is looming over everybody, including the front office … I think everyone [there] is walking on eggshells.
“Whether they decide to keep him or trade him, I don’t think everybody is going to be happy.”
It’s a situation similar to when the Red Sox couldn’t make a deal with Jon Lester during the 2014 season and sent him to the Athletics with Jonny Gomes at the deadline for Yoenis Cespedes and a draft pick.
For a win-now team like the Dodgers, Skubal makes sense. But the Brewers and Rays could see the lefty as worth the cost in prospects to finally win a World Series.
The Tigers scratched Casey Mize from his start on Friday and are set to trade him, too. The righthander has a 2.70 ERA in 16 starts since returning from an adductor issue. Credit to Harris for picking a direction.
Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him @alexspeier. Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey. Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social. Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com. Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Instagram at @katiemac.sports. Keith Pearson can be reached at keith.pearson@globe.com.