The Red Sox have well-defined needs as the trade deadline approaches: A first baseman and a starting pitcher. Preferably it’s a righthanded hitting first baseman and a starting pitcher who could follow Garrett Crochet in the rotation.

Realistically, the Boston Red Sox have the farm system to make nearly any trade at the deadline. Unless a superstar becomes available and the Red Sox don’t want to part ways with a few of their prospects, there’s no reason they can’t be in the mix for many of the top players available.