Of note, Bowden identified the Red Sox as the team “that asked for too much in trades,” citing multiple MLB general managers. That led to another undesirable superlative for Boston: “The fan base that heard crickets.”

The Boston Red Sox seem bound to make a blockbuster move in the offseason, but they would need to cut ties with a top prospect or two in the process.

Regardless of the Red Sox' activity (or lack thereof) at the trade deadline, they are still riding a lot of momentum. They are winners of five of their last seven games and were 17-7 in July. With a 59-51 record, they are one game ahead of the Seattle Mariners for the second AL Wild Card spot.