Stock Up, Stock Down: Two teams rising, two falling post-trade deadline

Stock Down: Fading Boston Red Sox hitting rock bottom in 2023

The Boston Red Sox were one of the hottest teams in July before and after the All-Star Break. It got them within a game of the Toronto Blue Jays for the final American League Wild Card spot. It appeared that GM Chaim Bloom would end up buying instead of selling at the deadline. That did not turn out to be the case.

Instead, Bloom stood pat in the middle, not selling off any pieces like Adam Duvall, Justin Turner, James Paxton, or Kenley Jansen. Instead, he kept them and made one addition, acquiring utility infielder Luis Urías from the Brewers. In the bigger picture, it’s a move that not’s was to move the needle in terms of their postseason chances, but it was more of a move for the future.

After failing to make deadline additions for a second year in a row, the Red Sox have fallen in the standings since August 1 … and fallen fast. They lost the last two games to the Seattle Mariners, then were swept at home by the Toronto Blue Jays. For the second year in a row, the failure of Bloom to make additions has had a ripple effect on the product on the field and Boston is on pace to miss the playoff for a second year in a row.

Over the last month, manager Alex Cora, who has expressed frustration, has not had a full five-man rotation, instead needing to go to an opener for at least two starts a week and that has caught up with their arms. The players spoke out before the deadline about needing help, mainly arms, and Bloom did not make the needed additions.

There are plenty of other teams that could have fallen into both categories, but these four are the ones that have stuck out the most as the leagues enters the final six weeks and push for October.