Red Sox CBO understands fans frustrations over deadline, still confident in team

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. (AP/Photo/Jim Davis)AP

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.”