Breslow Days

The time has come for our CBO to make some offsetting moves!

Everytime I open the Amazon app on my phone of late I am reminded that “Amazon Days” are coming between July 8-11. This got me to thinking, maybe it’s time for the Red Sox to promote “Breslow Days” aka the MLB trade deadline. It would be a unique way for the team to ensure the fanbase that the Sox are going to do something of significance at the deadline.

Photo Credit: MLB.COM

Full disclosure, I am still optimistic that the Sox can make the postseason in 2025. The road to October has been marred by injury, underwhelming performances, inconsistent pitching and hitting to date. I firmly believe that there is enough talent on this team, but a couple of strategic additions would make all the difference.

So what would “Breslow Days” look like? Let’s take a look at the two most pressing needs as I write this offering: starting pitching depth and a first base solution for the remainder of 2025.

Starting Pitching

I’ve read a number of possible candidates for acquisition to strengthen the rotation across several online platforms. Based upon those offerings and my own research, here are my three candidates:

Sandy Alcantara – This would not be the first time the Marlins pitcher was brought up in trade talks with the Sox. He is coming back from injury, but carries a big upside. Despite a rough 2025 (W/L 4-8, ERA 6.69, WHIP 1.45), a change of scenery from the purgatory that is Miami, would undoubtedly help the veteran and would not break the bank. He is currently under contract through 2026 via a 5 years/$55 million contract that includes a team option for 2027. The real question is can he improve enough this season to be effective down the stretch run.

Freddy Peralta - The Brewers are in contention for the top spot in the NL Central and are only 2 games out of first and have a 1 game advantage in the NL Wild Card Sweepstakes. It is difficult to imagine that the Brewers would part with the righthander, but if the right player or prospect was dangled, they just might bite. He has a club friendly expiring contract at 6 years/$22 million with a club option for 2026.

Merrill Kelly - The Diamondback righty is another expiring contract option. He is at the end of a 3 year/ $24 million deal. He is 36 years old and would turn 37 during the playoffs. So far this season he has a record of 7-4, an ERA of 3.49 and a WHIP of 1.071. He has playoff experience and would be a solid addition to the rotation. While Arizona is 10 games out in the NL West, they are only 3.5 games out in the NL Wild Card race. The same situation exists with them as a potential trade partner, in that the details of the deal will determine the result.

First Base

Here is a group of names that I think could help the team and a few that I think are off the table and some justification for each.

Off the table - Ryan O’Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle from the Orioles and Yandy Diaz of the Rays. The Rays are trying to catch the Yankees or grab a wild card slot (like the Sox) and I doubt they would deal within the division given those dynamics. The Orioles are a hot mess and I don’t think they even know how to handle the mess they’ve put themselves in with a bevy of young talent and a paltry 2025 record to show for it.

Rhys Hoskins – The Brewers could dangle the veteran first baseman who is in the final year of his two year/ $34 million deal with a mutual option for 2026. Like the Peralta option, the Brewers are in contention and the details of the deal would matter greatly. A side note here is that he is a Boras client. With the reported efforts to extend Bregman one would have to ask if Boras either facilitates or sinks both the trade or extension talks. If the Sox like what they see they might pickup the 2026 option as insurance for Casas.

Josh Naylor – The Diamondbacks first baseman might be the favorite in this race. He signed a one year/$10.9 million deal for 2025 with no options. He has had a productive 2025 with a hitting stat line of (BA .304, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 10 SB, .474 SLG, .834 OPS, 129 OPS+). The same rules apply with respect to the Diamondbacks making this trade as they do for Kelly. Could a package deal work here? The good thing here is that he could be brought back for 2026 as Casas insurance.

Nathaniel Lowe – If the Sox were to acquire the Nationals first baseman, it would give them a longer term solution and added insurance with Tristan Casas. He is under contract this season for $10.3 million, is arbitration eligible in 2026 and would become a free agent in 2027. Despite a low batting average (.232) he has slugged 13 homers and driven in 54 runs for the NAT’s. With Washington mired in last place in the NL East and 11 games out in the Wild Card, it is a strong possibility that they might move him at the deadline. The only question is the cost which I think would be low (no pun intended).

In the end, the only thing that really matters is that the Sox do something positive. Now is not the time to straddle the line. We are in or we are out!

Be bold….AGAIN! Nobody in Red Sox Nation wants to remember the 2025 Season as the season we just traded away Raffy Devers! I’d rather it be remembered as the year that they made the postseason and didn’t need Raffy to get there.

Let Breslow Days Begin!!!!!