Red Sox Snatch $16M Star in Secret Trade Deadline Deal

A Pattern of Missed Opportunities

The Boston Red Sox have developed a peculiar habit over the years. They often jump into the fray for big-name stars, only to back out before the finish line. This pattern has become all too familiar to fans and rivals alike. In 2017, they were reportedly in the mix for Justin Verlander at the trade deadline but ultimately balked due to luxury tax concerns. That allowed the Astros to swoop in and secure the ace, which helped them win the World Series.

That same year, the Red Sox were also linked to Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, only to see him land with the Angels. Now, fast forward to today, and once again, just after a blockbuster deal has been finalized, whispers emerge that the Red Sox were once again in the mix. It seems like it's becoming part of their identity—always around the action, rarely part of the final act.

The Latest Miss: David Robertson

In a recent post on X, MLB insider Bob Nightengale revealed that there were nine teams who scouted David Robertson in Providence on Saturday, including Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and assistant Eddie Romero. Ultimately, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski won the sweepstakes over his former team.

The Red Sox made a serious push to sign veteran reliever David Robertson, but he ended up rejoining the Phillies on Sunday. For those unfamiliar, the Sox have been connected to Robertson for years, partly because he lives nearby in Rhode Island. Despite the ongoing interest, he’s never actually suited up for them.

Robertson, now 40, pitched in 68 games for the Rangers last season, posting a solid 3.00 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 72 innings. He’s now headed back to the Phillies on a prorated one-year deal worth just over $6 million, based on a $16 million full-season salary. This won’t be his first stint in Philly either; he previously pitched in Philadelphia in 2019 and again in 2022. Now, this will be his third term with them, while for the Red Sox, it’s a missed opportunity.

A History of Lost Chances

The Red Sox not only missed out on Verlander, Ohtani, and Robertson. They have been linked with a few more names that never saw the light of day. For instance, Boston was one of the finalists for Jose Abreu in 2013 but lost out to the White Sox, who offered more years and dollars. They even aggressively pursued Mark Teixeira in 2008 and believed they had him signed. At the last minute, he joined the Yankees for more money.

Hence, whether it's about unwillingness to offer a higher pay scale or more years, the Red Sox have lost several good names in the process. Losing out on Aaron Judge, Ohtani, or Abreu proved fatal for the team, so it remains to be seen what the consequences will be from missing out on Robertson.

Looking Ahead: New Targets and Challenges

The Red Sox definitely have a few key needs to address, such as first base, some bullpen support, and another starting pitcher. However, it looks like they’re doing their homework on the rotation front. The latest buzz has them checking out Diamondbacks starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Reportedly, Boston plans to scout both righties in their upcoming outings.

But of course, they're not the only ones. Word is the Yankees are also in the mix for both pitchers. So once again, it's shaping up to be a bit of a Red Sox–Yankees showdown. We'll see how it plays out this time.

Fans' Frustration and the Deadline

Red Sox fans might have seen enough of losing out on the top names to rival camps. This time, it might be now or never for the Red Sox before the trade deadline. With several potential targets still on the radar, the pressure is on for the team to make a move that could change their trajectory.