BOSTON — If the Red Sox’ trade of Christian Vázquez on the eve of the deadline signaled a sell off was coming, it never came.
As Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline passed, there were no more big names going out the door — pending free agents J.D. Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi are staying, at least for the next two months — and the Red Sox ultimately made just one move on deadline day, acquiring first baseman Eric Hosmer and two prospects from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Jay Groome, one of Boston’s top pitching prospects.
When the dust cleared, the Red Sox upgraded at first base (Hosmer), downgraded at catcher (Reese McGuire), added a new outfielder (Tommy Pham), didn’t address the bullpen — though they traded Jake Diekman — and are still over the luxury tax threshold. They enter the final two months of the season and beyond without a clear direction on the franchise’s future after they middled between making a few moves in an effort to contend this season while simultaneously building for the future.
