Report: Red Sox unlikely to land Edwin Diaz, focused on ‘lesser names’

The Boston Red Sox have been viewed as the most logical suitor for New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz heading into Wednesday’s trade deadline, but they are apparently looking to make a less flashy addition to their bullpen.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Red Sox are unlikely to land any of the top relievers available on the trade market and are instead focusing on “lesser bullpen names.”

Source: Red Sox unlikely to land Edwin Diaz, Shane Greene or Raisel Iglesias. Team focused on lesser bullpen names. @alexspeier first reported Diaz unlikely for Sox

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2019

The Red Sox are squarely in the AL wild card hunt after taking three of four games from the New York Yankees over the weekend, but they still have major needs to address in their bullpen. They also have a depleted farm system as a result of the Chris Sale trade and some other moves they’ve made in recent years, so targeting lesser names might make sense.

Whatever route they chose to go, the Red Sox are said to be confident they are going to make a significant move before Wednesday’s deadline.