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By Ben Watanabe
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Boston Red Sox had a choice on Monday.
With reports of moves flying left and right on MLB trade deadline day, the surging Sox had to stake a position. Were they taking seriously their victorious July and bolstering a roster they've felt was a winner since the beginning? Or would they defer to yet another endless future where one day -- they promise -- all the much-hyped prospects and low-risk acquisitions will finally pan out?
It turns out, they're going for it.
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Monday's trade for Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman for a reported return of prospects Anthony Eyanson, Enddy Azocar and Kyson Witherspoon, along with catcher Carlos Narvaez, was precisely the type of bold move the Red Sox have lacked at trade deadlines of recent past. Red Sox fans can still summon the mental picture of Chaim Bloom, paralyzed with fear, unable to press the button on a meaningful deadline move. Even current chief baseball officer Craig Breslow's signature deal to date was trading away franchise cornerstone Rafael Devers. When it came time to act, was this team still capable of a blockbuster move that brought back the best player in the deal?
Happily for Red Sox fans, it appears Boston can. Because nabbing the 28-year-old Rutschman was about more than merely acquiring an All-Star backstop to drastically improve their offensive production behind the plate. It also kept him away from the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, two AL East foes who were also reportedly in the market for catcher upgrades. The Red Sox improved their lineup while potentially hindering their closest opponents.'
You know who does that? Teams that want to compete.
Rutshman is no 2025 Cal Raleigh. He's not quite even the player he was billed to be as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. And he's been on the injured list three times this season, including at the time of the trade. So there is still a need for him to share time at catcher, at the very least, like he has all season with Samuel Basallo.
As a switch-hitter, he's not even quite the right-handed bat the Red Sox covet. He's only posted a .704 OPS versus lefties in 103 plate appearances this season. He unquestionably improves the lineup overall, though, with his 115 OPS+ slotting into the designated hitter spot when he's not behind the dish.
In their search for a catcher, however, the Red Sox got their man while the Yankees and Rays were still searching. For the first time in a long time, it was go time -- and the Red Sox actually went.
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