The storm clouds that had been gathering over Fenway Park for weeks finally gave way, allowing the Boston Red Sox to complete a 5-1 victory over the Orioles on Wednesday afternoon. The win tied the franchise record of 15 consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in 1946, when Ted Williams led the team to 104 wins. The historic winning streak has brought the Red Sox’s trade deadline approach into sharper focus, with the team shifting from sellers to buyers in a dramatic turnaround.

For much of June and early July, the conversation surrounding the Red Sox centered on selling at the trade deadline. Starter Sonny Gray had acknowledged that the club wasn’t a good team at the time and was willing to waive his no-trade clause. Closer Aroldis Chapman was viewed as the headliner, with many around the game expecting he’d be dealt to a real contender. However, the Red Sox’s recent surge has changed the narrative, and they are now being discussed as buyers.

Interim manager Chad Tracy emphasized that the team’s focus remains on the present, saying, ‘I think this group right now believes that whatever the [front office] decides to do, we’re focused on what’s in front of us and are going out there trying to win a game.’ The league itself is also feeling the effects of the Red Sox’s turnaround, with many teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot. This has created a sense of urgency, with the Red Sox looking to make a statement at the trade deadline.

Which Players Could the Red Sox Target?

The Red Sox are likely to target players who can address specific needs, such as a shortstop and a starter. One player who has been linked to the Red Sox is Angels shortstop Zach Neto, who is under team control through 2029. Neto, 25, pairs above-average defense with power, as evidenced by his 19 home runs this season. He would undoubtedly play well at Fenway Park, particularly to the pull side. However, acquiring Neto likely wouldn’t come cheap, and the Red Sox may need to part with significant prospect capital, perhaps even Marcelo Mayer, the oft-injured 23-year-old currently on the injured list.

The Red Sox will also be searching for another arm to protect some of their younger starters, several of whom are approaching career-high workloads. Payton Tolle has already eclipsed his professional high, logging 89 ⅔ innings in 16 starts. The left-hander has hit a bit of a wall, yielding 11 runs over his last five starts. Connelly Early is on the injured list with elbow inflammation, while the Red Sox have also been careful with Jake Bennett’s workload. Catcher is another avenue the Red Sox could explore, with Carlos Narváez having a down year after taking on much of the workload last season.

The Red Sox’s approach to the trade deadline will likely be cautious, given their recent history. Last year’s version of ‘buying’ consisted of backend starters Dustin May and Steven Matz, neither of whom did well in Boston. However, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s mindset may have shifted in his third full season at the helm, and he may view this deadline as an opportunity to make his team better now, without so much focus on losing the trade.

The Red Sox will wait until the Aug. 3 deadline before making any major decisions, allowing the market to fully develop. Much can change in under 10 days, and the Red Sox should be the first to know that.

The team’s trade deadline plans are a testament to the dramatic turnaround they’ve undergone in recent weeks. From sellers to buyers, the Red Sox are now focused on making a statement at the trade deadline. With their recent surge and the league’s current state, the Red Sox are poised to make some significant moves.

The Red Sox’s trade deadline plans are a topic of much discussion, and it will be interesting to see how they unfold in the coming days.