But not today. Though there was a flurry of reports about a last-minute effort to pry Joe Ryan away from the Twins, the Red Sox concluded the 2025 trade deadline with two moves that only marginally improve the team, if at all.

According to sources, the Red Sox remained engaged on top starters up to the end. San Diego hotly pursued Duran, but the Red Sox didn’t see enough return to move him. Boston tried to trade for Eugenio Suarez with the intent of moving him to first base before Arizona sent him to Seattle.

In the immediate aftermath of the deadline, it doesn't feel like the Red Sox did much of anything, let alone enough to solidify them as a serious playoff team.