What happened: MassLive's Chris Cotillo outlined a hybrid trade-deadline approach for Boston: dealing starter Sonny Gray, 36, and closer Aroldis Chapman, 38, while acquiring a controllable bat such as Byron Buxton. Cotillo said the thin free-agent bat market makes now the time to pursue that kind of addition rather than waiting for winter.

Why it matters: The plan would let Boston keep both veterans' trade value while restocking beyond 2026, a balancing act made possible after the same nine-game win streak that pushed Boston's postseason odds to 40.1%. Cotillo argued the rotation and bullpen could absorb the losses given the depth building behind Gray and Chapman.

What to watch: Watch whether Boston's asking price for Gray and Chapman draws offers before the Aug. 3 deadline, and whether a controllable bat like Buxton becomes available in a blockbuster.