The 2024 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and the Red Sox, to some people’s surprise, were one of the biggest buyers. But as I reviewed the trades, I had some questions.

As a Red Sox Fan since the early 2000’s, all I’ve known with this team is trying to win, and win big. That has changed quite a bit in the last few years. Ever since the trade of Mookie, I’ve been weary of this front office and with this trade deadline, I still am.

Prior to this season, the Red Sox front office felt like it was in turmoil with the entire Red Sox fan base making moves that included raising season ticket prices and lowering payroll. Although these trades are a move, I’m not so sure they are the moves that are needed or wanted. Let’s go through them to show you what I mean.

James Paxton From Dodgers for Minor leaguer Moises Bolivar

The Red Sox need pitching and James Paxton is somewhat of a backward answer for their pitching questions. Paxton was on the team last year, but was hurt most of the year. This year with The Dodgers he is 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA. Wins look great, but this isn’t the hard swinging Dodgers. Paxton has been erratic with his command and has lost most of his good stuff. While this is a move, we already saw how it worked out. He gave up 6 runs (3 earned) while the Red Sox got blown away by the Mariners in his first start with the team. This feels like a useless trade.

Danny Jensen from Blue Jays for 3 prospects

Jensen’s stats in an injury shortened seasoned have not been impressive: .212 avg., 6 homers, and 18 RBI’s. GM Craig Breslow said the reason for the trade, aside from replacing Reese McGuire after he lost his mind for being called out for jacking off in his car, was that Jensen’s swing will play well at Fenway. Well, Jensen’s career average with over 100 at-bats at Fenway is .184. Not great. This feels like a PR move to get McGuire out of there, another lateral move. 0/2.

RHP Lucas Sims from Reds for Ovis Portes

The Red Sox bullpen has been absolutely impossible to watch this season, but here comes an arm they can use, but is it? Sims has been fairly effective for the Reds this season with a 3.57 ERA in 43 appearances. Not bad numbers at all, but when we look at the numbers, it’s not as good as it seems. At home, Sims had an ERA of 0.83 and an opponent’s batting average of .162. On the road, a 7.90 ERA. The problem with this trade is that Sims is always going to be on the road now! The Red Sox took him out of his comfort zone and we’ll see if the numbers lie or that 7.90 rears its ugly head.

RHP Luis Garcia from Angels for four prospects

The Red Sox sent over a major haul for the 37-year older reliever from the Angels. If I was to pick anyone who could truly help this team, it would be Garcia, but when you think about it, he’s 37 coming from a team with not a lot of high stress situations and he’s been on a different team each of the last four years. We’ll see if Garcia can bolster this bullpen, but I have my doubts.

You may ask why would the Red Sox make moves at all if they’re not trying to win? Well, I think with the team only a game out of the wild card, if this front office stayed still, there would’ve been hell to pay from all the fans. With some moves, it takes pressure off of the front office and allows them to say, “see we did something”.

Maybe the Red Sox front-office really tried this year, maybe they care about the fans more than we all think, maybe (I hope) these will all work out, but with the stats I laid out this feels more of a mirage than a move for another ring.