The Boston Red Sox have been quiet ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. An afternoon rumor that they were coveting Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly broke through their silence.
But Craig Breslow couldn't get the job done. The Texas Rangers traded for Kelly as the Red Sox simultaneously negotiated for a trade, first reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan. Texas will send three minor leaguers to Arizona for possibly the best rental pitcher on the market.
Breslow and the Red Sox initially hoped to sign a pitcher with multiple years of control on their contract, but the asking prices on starters have been higher than they're willing to go.