Red Sox Star Blasts Club's Trade Deadline Strategy As Season Sadly Comes To Close

Did Boston make the correct decision ahead of the trade deadline?

The Boston Red Sox have missed the postseason for the second straight year.

Boston entered the 2023 campaign with low expectations but for much of the season looked like it would vastly surpass them. Things changed in August and the Red Sox have struggled ever since. Boston is 76-81 and needs a five-game winning streak to close the season to avoid finishing below .500. 

One of the biggest reasons for the Red Sox's struggles has been inconsistent play out of the starting rotation this season. Boston has dealt with a plethora of injuries which certainly didn't help, but also have struggled overall. Although this is the case, the Red Sox were right in the Wild Card race around the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline but opted to not add a starter. This decision certainly isn't sitting right with star closer Kenley Jansen, according to a conversation with WEEI's Rob Bradford on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast.

"We do have a great team and if we would have had a couple of starters (at the trade deadline) we wouldn’t be talking about this right now," Jansen said on the "Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast" to Bradford. "We would be playing in a Wild Card game right now."

It isn't surprising that Jansen would be upset about the lack of moves around the trade deadline. Boston at one point seemed poised to make a run for a playoff spot but have struggled since the trade deadline. The Red Sox's offense has been impressive this season, but pitching hasn't matched. Boston has the third-best team batting average in baseball but is the only team under .500 with a top-10 team batting average. 

Boston likely will be extremely active this offseason while adding to the starting rotation but it would've been nice to do so earlier.

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