Passan predicts aggressive trade deadline for Red Sox - 98.5 The Sports Hub

What the report says

98.5 The Sports Hub reported that Boston Red Sox trade-deadline speculation has moved toward “buy mode” after the club extended its post-All-Star break surge. In a July 22 story, Matt Dolloff wrote that Boston had won six straight games since the break, including a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, and stood at 52-48, two games ahead in the race for the third American League wild-card spot.

The report cited ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who said on Tuesday’s “Pat McAfee Show” that he expects the Red Sox to be aggressive before the Aug. 3 deadline. Passan also mentioned a potential area of need and one possible target: Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto. 98.5 The Sports Hub framed the shift as a response to earlier reports that Boston’s direction would depend on how the team performed immediately after the break.

Dolloff noted that Neto, 25, would not necessarily be a headline-grabbing acquisition but would bring power to the middle infield. The article said he was nearing a third consecutive 20-home run season and led the league with 69 runs scored, while also carrying notable drawbacks: 139 strikeouts, the most in the AL, and a league-high 14 errors.

The potential significance is that Boston, after a season that had appeared to be slipping away, may now have reason to add rather than sell. The Sports Hub argued that a power-hitting shortstop or another bat with pop could help reinforce a lineup seeking more impact as the Red Sox try to protect a playoff position.