Boston Red Sox: Buyers.
Why: The Red Sox (42-40) are 7.5 games back of the Yankees in the division but only two back of the wild card. Their plus-50 run differential trails only the Rangers, White Sox and Yankees. They've been hit hard by injuries, too, like everyone else in the AL East. But if they can add to their club at the deadline, they'll remain in the thick of the race come September.
Who they need: Boston needs starting pitching, though Franklin Morales and Aaron Cook have performed admirably out of the bullpen. Daisuke Matsuzaka can't be relied upon moving forward, and the Red Sox are known to be one of the teams scouting Chicago's Matt Garza. If Morales sticks in the rotation, look for Boston to target another reliever, preferably left-handed.
Who they can deal: Should the Red Sox finally get healthy, they might have seven outfielders (Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Kalish, Daniel Nava, Scott Podsednik, Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney) and six starting pitchers (Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Aaron Cook, Felix Doubrant, Jon Lester and Franklin Morales), putting Boston in position to fill some holes.
Ross and designated hitter David Ortiz have expiring contracts, but I don't see Ortiz finishing the season in anything but a Red Sox uniform.
Three Red Sox prospects made Baseball America's Midseason Top 50 Prospects List: pitcher Matt Barnes at No. 13, shortstop Xander Bogaerts at No. 31 and outfielder Jackie Bradley at No. 32. The Red Sox have veterans and prospects they can dangle in trades.
Who is available: The Red Sox would love to land Garza, with his proven record of success in the AL East as a member of the Rays. With Buchholz, Crawford, and Ellsbury on the mend, I see the Red Sox trying to trade one of their spare outfielders and prospects for pitching help. Oakland could make for an interesting trading partner with the Red Sox. Boston could use Brandon McCarthy, Bartolo Colon or Grant Balfour.
Verdict: The Red Sox want to right the wrongs of last September by qualifying for the postseason, but they're going to need some help. Look for them to be one of the more active teams as we near the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
