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.
By the numbers: Jake Bennett improved to 5-3 with a 2.35 ERA on Friday. Gray, 36, and Chapman, 38, are both having what Cotillo called unbelievable seasons. Payton Tolle and Connelly Early round out the rotation depth Cotillo cited, with Garrett Crochet's potential return also factored in.
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.