It's hard not to look at Chaim Bloom's trade for Kyle Schwarber as a significant step in the right direction for the first-place Red Sox.
Naysayers might believe this is somewhat of a square peg in a round hole considering Schwarber has appeared in one major league game as a first baseman, the position most believe the Red Sox need him to land at.
Or perhaps they are upset that they are giving up an intriguing 20-year-old starting pitcher in Aldo Ramirez, a player who had become a rising star in the Sox system. (For more on Ramirez, check out his scouting report on SoxProspects.com.)
But take a breath and understand this: The Red Sox are getting a player who had compiled the second-most homers in the National League (25) and was coming off a month in June in which he managed 16 of them.
Yes, it is still going to be a week or two before Schwarber is able to return from a right hamstring injury that limited the 28-year-old to two games in July. But understand that if he is able to return and actually play a passable first base, this player -- who carries a .976 OPS against right-handers this season -- should scratch right where the Red Sox itch.
Now what?
Angling for the likes of Schwarber wasn't quite as complicated as what might be now facing the Red Sox. There weren't a ton of teams that really needed first base help, with the Yankees reeling in Anthony Rizzo with the kind of two-prospect package the Sox most likely weren't going to match for the rental. And even if they were looking at Schwarber as another outfielder, he's the kind of bat a suddenly somewhat inconsistent offense could use.
Now comes the pitcher. And don't think for a minute the Red Sox don't need one.
While nobody likes to overreact to a small sample size of starts, the image portrayed by Eduardo Rodriguez the last two times out should be cause for concern. One resulted in a stint-ending migraine, with Thursday night's six runs over 3 1/3 innings leaving the Red Sox more uncomfortable than ever.
Right now, the Red Sox' rotation is heading into August with Nathan Eovaldi, a pitcher in Rodriguez who carries a 5.60 ERA, Chris Sale (who hasn't pitched in a big league game in 717 days) and Nick Pivetta, who has a .704 ERA in his last three starts. There are also Martin Perez and Garrett Richards, neither who have offered enough to feel postseason-worthy.
Tanner Houck is certainly a wild card for Alex Cora's crew, although it sure seems like there is little chance the Red Sox will be leaning on him to face too many lineups three times through.
So as we sit here on Trade Deadline Day, it certainly appears as though if the Red Sox are going to truly mark their territory for the final few months another high-leverage pitcher is going to be needed.
Now, Minnesota's Jose Berrios would immediately be a top option. But the cost of the 27-year-old, who still has another year of control beyond 2021, figures to get into the kind of discomfort the Red Sox' farm system might not be willing to absorb. Also, there may very well be some heavily-stocked and motivated teams (see the Padres) standing firmly in the way.
There are others.
Zach Davies (6-7, 4.39) has been solid. (Red Sox scout Dana LeVangie having been embedded with the Cubs throughout July.) He wouldn't seemingly cost much considering this is the final year of his deal.
Colorado's Jon Gray is also free-agent-eligible after this season, and he has a 2.57 ERA over his last six starts. His teammate German Marquez is under team control through 2024, but will cost the Rockies $11 million in 2022 and $15 million the year after.
Texas ace Kyle Gibson has another year of control at $7 million, but has come back down to Earth in his last three starts (7.79 ERA). In his last outing, the righty only gave up three runs but walked eight.
Arizona's Merrill Kelly is under team control through 2024 and has a 2.62 ERA over his last seven starts. Considering he was originally drafted by Bloom's Rays in 2010, that might be one to watch.
Or perhaps the Red Sox go the route of simply lengthening their bullpen with another game-ender. With Daniel Hudson now off the board, the top names remain Craig Kimbrel and Richard Rodriguez. They would both cost a lot. Texas' Ian Kennedy (who is free agent-eligible after 2021) hasn't slowed down, not giving up a run in July. And, of course, let's not forget the possible return of Daniel Bard, who has struggled somewhat in his last two outings.
All the American League contenders have made some semblance of steps forward. Now it's time for the Red Sox to out-leap them all.