Red Sox facing brutal reality amid big trade deadline question

Every season, teams will have to determine how they operate at the MLB trade deadline. Last year, the Boston Red Sox were a contender, and with a strong roster, didn't need to splurge on outside additions like some other teams did.

But this season, things are very different. The Red Sox have some clear needs in the rotation and in the infield, but with a poor record, it would not be a surprise if Boston wound up as sellers.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report highlighted how Craig Breslow needs to answer the question of whether the Red Sox are buyers or sellers. And with how things look right now, the brutal reality is that selling might be the best move for the team.

Red Sox face brutal reality amid trade deadline question

"Their record says they are trending towards being a seller," Kelly writes. "But after firing Alex Cora and much of his staff in April, there's quite a bit of pressure on chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to get things right."

With the Red Sox sitting at a 22-30 record, worst in the American League East, it would come as no surprise if by the August 3rd trade deadline, the Red Sox were sellers.

Sonny Gray could be an option if he waives his no-trade clause again. But the premier trade assets would be Aroldis Chapman and Jarren Duran.

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For a team that began the season as postseason hopefuls, this current trajectory is going to force Breslow to make a brutal decision.

Selling might be the right call for the franchise long-term. But if they sold, it would mean Breslow admitting that the roster isn't good enough to turn things around, which is an indictment of his ability to build a team.

But that's why this big question is not only a very important one, but also one that is likely to force Breslow and company to accept the brutal reality that they aren't a postseason contender this season, and need to seriously reevaluate the roster.

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