We've learned that these things are fluid and can change overnight, but at this moment, it's hard to imagine the Red Sox pulling off a blockbuster. They've got the best record in the American League and have led the majors in just about every offensive category this month.
So they could play the hand they've got. The Sox, as presently constructed, are good enough to make the playoffs. The question is: Are they good enough to win a championship?
We don't have a definitive answer to that question. And, after what we've seen from the Red Sox' starting rotation this week, the answer is murkier than ever.
Three of the last four pitchers to start for the Red Sox — Tim Wakefield, Andrew Miller and John Lackey — have ERAs higher than 5.00. A fourth starter, Clay Buchholz, will be visiting another specialist about his back before he can throw another bullpen session.
In other words, after Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, there are no sure things when it comes to Red Sox starters.
And there aren't many options in Pawtucket either. Felix Doubront is on the DL, Kyle Weiland is back at Triple-A after a couple of mediocre (at best) starts for Boston, and veteran Kevin Millwood hasn't impressed anyone enough to get the call.
So it would make sense for the Sox to grab some pitching help, even if it's someone who may wind up as the team's fifth starter. We're once again being reminded that you can never have enough pitching depth.
Theo Epstein has shown us that he's willing to roll the dice in the final days of July. From Eric Gagne to Jason Bay to Victor Martinez, the team has pulled the trigger on several trades that have brought an impact player to town.
Of course, the biggest deal of all was back in 2004, when Nomar Garciaparra left in a four-team deal that shook the doldrums off an underachieving team and lit the fuse that led to a championship.
We know all these deals haven't worked out. Gagne, for instance, was an unmitigated disaster, although that 2007 team did manage to overcome his struggles to win the World Series.
There are other times when a team can make a minor tweak that can help a franchise. Like last year's move that brought Jarrod Saltalamacchia to town — it didn't seem like a big deal at the time, but now he's Boston's starting catcher.
The Sox are undoubtedly looking at available pitching help right now, as well as a right-handed bat. But they shouldn't overpay, in prospects or in money, to do it. This team has already shown us it's good enough to win it all.
Teams like that need a tweak. Not an overhaul.
