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4 days ago
- Sport
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Why MLB writer thinks Yankees have ‘no credible excuse' to not win World Series
While the Red Sox had an underwhelming trade deadline, teams around them made moves to bolster their team. Including the New York Yankees, who filled holes throughout their lineup as well as their bullpen. The defending American League champions acquired Austin Slater, Amed Rosario, Jose Caballero, Ryan McMahon, David Bednar, Jake Bird and Camilo Doval. The only thing the Yankees didn't address was starting pitching. But even so, The Athletic's Ian O'Connor believes they have set themselves up to not only return to the World Series, but to win. 'Today's American League seems so light on heavyweight contenders, the Yankees have no credible excuse not to make a second straight trip to the World Series … and then no excuse not to win it once there," O'Connor wrote. The AL East appears to be a three-way race. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles have struggled to find any sort of groove, while the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Yankees take up the top three spots and are all eyeing a spot in the postseason. Along with adding offense to the lineup that will help better attack left-handed pitching, the Yankees already bolstered a lineup that features Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees are 3½ games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and 2½ ahead of the third-place Red Sox. Boston's lackluster deadline that included only acquiring Dustin May and Steven Matz might help New York pull away in the standings down the stretch. Other teams in the AL also added to their rosters. The Houston Astros reunited with Carlos Correa, the Seattle Mariners acquired Eugenio Suárez. And even though the Blue Jays have had the Yankees' number this season, O'Connor noted they haven't won any postseason series since 2017 while New York has won eight. The Yankees roster isn't without flaws, but the trade deadline signifies they're a team trying to win the World Series after falling short last season. Still, a strong deadline doesn't automatically guarantee success. 'They have no legitimate excuse to end this season in failure,' O'Connor wrote, 'which is no guarantee that they won't.' O'Connor noted that the Yankees aren't perfect, but their roster is filled with players who have multiple All-Star appearances and a little bit of everything that will help them in the postseason. 'Teams need certain things to win a title,' O'Connor wrote, 'and the Yanks have a lot of them.' More Red Sox coverage Why Red Sox talks with Twins fell apart for Joe Ryan (report) Red Sox announce Friday starter, plus when Dustin May will make club debut Red Sox CBO understands fans frustrations over deadline, still confident in team Dodgers media reacts to 'beloved' pitcher being traded to Red Sox MLB Notebook: AL winners and losers at deadline; Alex Bregman's reunion; Red Sox' payroll monitoring Read the original article on MassLive.
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4 days ago
- Sport
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‘I throw up in my mouth.' Red Sox broadcaster is tired of pearl-clutching over prospects
Lou Merloni has had it with the Boston Red Sox making big promises and not following through. He says the fanbase feels the same way. During an appearance on WEEI Thursday, the NESN broadcaster and former Red Sox player blasted the team's conservative approach to the trade deadline. Merloni argued that the fans' trust in the team has deteriorated after hearing multiple promises that the Red Sox are ready to make big moves – only to be left disappointed. 'You can only say it for so long without actually doing something about it,' Merloni said. The 2025 MLB trade deadline came and went with the Red Sox only making a pair of mid-level moves, acquiring pitchers Dustin May and Steven Matz. Boston reportedly made a late push for Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, but didn't want to part ways with any of their top prospects. Boston's reluctance to part with any top prospects is nothing new. Merloni is tired of hearing about it. 'I throw up in my mouth when I hear people talk, upset about Blaze Jordan leaving,' Merloni said. 'How many rookies do you want up here? Get me veterans who have been here before. That's what everybody wants.' As Merloni notes, the Red Sox are already flush with a crop of young players, especially their 'big three' of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell. Merloni argued that the Red Sox have enough youth talent that could blossom in a few years. He says Boston needs veteran talent now if you're going to do anything. 'I don't care about prospects. I really don't, and maybe that's just the player in me,' Merloni said. 'The guys in that clubhouse don't care if we give up a guy who, two or three years from now, is going to be really good. They want players now.' Merloni's criticism is a recurring theme for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and the Red Sox. Boston had repeatedly said all the right things about an aggressive approach to building a winner. But at the trade deadline, the team balked again. Now, they're hearing about it. More Red Sox coverage Why Red Sox talks with Twins fell apart for Joe Ryan (report) Red Sox announce Friday starter, plus when Dustin May will make club debut Red Sox CBO understands fans frustrations over deadline, still confident in team Dodgers media reacts to 'beloved' pitcher being traded to Red Sox MLB Notebook: AL winners and losers at deadline; Alex Bregman's reunion; Red Sox' payroll monitoring Read the original article on MassLive.
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4 days ago
- Sport
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Dodgers media reacts to ‘beloved' pitcher being traded to Red Sox
The Red Sox didn't have the type of trade deadline that fans wanted. Boston is five games behind first place in the AL East and were surging right before the All-Star break following a trade that sent its slugger Rafael Devers to San Francisco. Instead of going all-in at the deadline, the team made minor moves, including bringing in often-injured starting pitcher, Dustin May, from the Dodgers. Despite his injury history, the 27-year old has spent his entire career up to this point with the Dodgers, making him one of the teams longest-tenured players. May started in 18 games this season for LA, pitched 104 innings and has an ERA of 4.85, over a full run higher than his career average. Here's what sports media in Los Angeles has had to say about May getting dealt to the East Coast: Michael Duarte, NBC Los Angeles 'The biggest surprise came late in the day when the Dodgers traded Dustin May to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfield prospect James Tibbs III. May, a beloved figure in Los Angeles, had re-established himself as one of the most consistent arms in the Dodgers' rotation after multiple injury setbacks. But with his free agency looming this offseason — and reports suggesting he wouldn't re-sign — the front office made a pragmatic move. Tibbs, originally acquired by Boston in the Rafael Devers deal with San Francisco, is a high-upside power bat. The Dodgers have long been intrigued by his profile — athletic, strong, with a developing hit tool. It's a gamble, no doubt. But one made with a clear understanding of the long game.' Noah Camras, Dodgers Nation/Newsweek 'Wow. The Dodgers got OF James Tibbs — Boston's No. 5 prospect and the ex-Giants first-round pick acquired in the Rafael Devers trade — for Dustin May. That is an impressive return for May, on an expiring contract. A really smart move from the Dodgers to close out the deadline.' More Red Sox coverage Why Red Sox talks with Twins fell apart for Joe Ryan (report) Red Sox announce Friday starter, plus when Dustin May will make club debut Red Sox CBO understands fans frustrations over deadline, still confident in team MLB Notebook: AL winners and losers at deadline; Alex Bregman's reunion; Red Sox' payroll monitoring Why MLB writer thinks Yankees have 'no credible excuse' to not win World Series Read the original article on MassLive.
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4 days ago
- Sport
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As Red Sox put Tanner Houck on 60-day IL, Craig Breslow offers ominous update
To make room for newcomer Dustin May on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox transferred injured starter Tanner Houck to the 60-day injured list Thursday. And while that doesn't impact Houck's timeline for returning, an ominous quote from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow suggests the Sox might not get Houck back by the end of the season. Houck was placed on the 15-day injured list May 14 (retroactive to May 13) with a right flexor pronator strain, so he has already been sidelined for more than two months and therefore the transfer to the 60-day IL is just a paper move that means he doesn't occupy a 40-man spot. But Houck is still shut down from throwing after soreness resurfaced during his rehab outing in mid-July. Breslow suggested that all options are on the table. Houck, who was pulled off his rehab assignment during the All-Star break after pitching five times in a three-week stretch for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, met with doctors this week to see why his arm injury has not gotten any better despite a long period of rest in the aftermath of him first being sidelined in May. 'I think he is trying to weigh all of the information, figure out what the right course is,' Breslow said. 'Obviously, I've not had a chance to talk to him over the last two days but will tomorrow. We'll figure out, at that point, what the course of action is here and make that available as appropriate.' The Red Sox have been cagey about Houck's status since pulling him off his rehab assignment on July 18. He has been around Fenway Park for home games but has not traveled with the team on the road, as is standard for injured players. Houck is running out of time to return to the rotation this season with just eight weeks left. Houck, an All-Star last year who posted a 3.12 ERA in 30 starts over a career-high 178 ⅔ innings, was not himself to open 2025. After struggling mightily in spring training, he posted an 8.04 ERA in nine starts to start the season before being sidelined. He had two blow-up outings in a four-week span, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) in 2 ⅓ innings on April 14 in Tampa, then 11 runs (all earned) in 2 ⅓ innings in Detroit on May 12. Boston won't get Hunter Dobbins (torn ACL) or Kutter Crawford (wrist) back this season and is doubtful to get any contributions from Patrick Sandoval (Tommy John recovery). Because of that, the club added Dustin May to the rotation in a trade deadline deal with the Dodgers. More Red Sox coverage Why Red Sox talks with Twins fell apart for Joe Ryan (report) Red Sox announce Friday starter, plus when Dustin May will make club debut Red Sox CBO understands fans frustrations over deadline, still confident in team Dodgers media reacts to 'beloved' pitcher being traded to Red Sox MLB Notebook: AL winners and losers at deadline; Alex Bregman's reunion; Red Sox' payroll monitoring Read the original article on MassLive.
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4 days ago
- Business
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Red Sox CBO understands fans frustrations over deadline, still confident in team
The Red Sox trade deadline was underwhelming and left many fans wondering why they didn't make a splash move to acquire either a No. 2 starter or a first baseman. Other teams in the American League — including the New York Yankees — made moves to bolster their team as they look to make a big postseason push in the final months of the season. But as they have in years past, the Red Sox didn't make an addition that brings excitement. 'I understand the frustration and disappointment from our fan base and walking out of the deadline without making a big splash, especially relative to what some of the other teams have been able to do,' Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said on WEEI's 'The Greg Hill Show' on Friday morning. 'But that doesn't change what our intentions were going into this deadline, what we were willing to do and offer.' The Red Sox reportedly made a late effort to acquire starting pitcher Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins, but a source told MassLive's Chris Cotillo that their pursuit was 'not even close.' Instead, Boston acquired Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. May struggled this season for LA, amassing a 4.85 ERA in 18 starts. He's already undergone two Tommy John surgeries, and missed the entire 2024 season after he had surgery for a torn esophagus. Breslow had been adamant leading up to the deadline that improving the team was a priority. But for another season, it seemed as if the Red Sox didn't want to make an uncomfortable move or get aggressive enough to acquire someone like Ryan or Ryan O'Hearn. Still, Breslow remains confident in the Red Sox and believes he did improve the club with the two additions. 'When we had very clear priorities for the deadline and we weren't able to achieve those, there is a feeling of frustration and disappointment,' he said. 'But at the same I think we made our team better.' Breslow added he spoke with some players after the deadline deals were made, and made it clear to them what they tried to do. And while they came up short of the ultimate goal, Breslow wanted to make sure the team knew how much they still believe in them. Going into Friday's game against the Houston Astros, the Red Sox are third in the AL East and hold the second Wild Card spot. A lot can happen between now and the end of the season, and Breslow knows it's on the Red Sox to continue to win games going forward. 'We need to continue to play well and win games,' he said, 'and get ourselves into the postseason.' More Red Sox coverage Why Red Sox talks with Twins fell apart for Joe Ryan (report) Red Sox announce Friday starter, plus when Dustin May will make club debut Dodgers media reacts to 'beloved' pitcher being traded to Red Sox MLB Notebook: AL winners and losers at deadline; Alex Bregman's reunion; Red Sox' payroll monitoring Why MLB writer thinks Yankees have 'no credible excuse' to not win World Series Read the original article on MassLive.
