Bruins Add Veteran Depth at the Deadline for a Playoff Push

Now that the NHL trade deadline has come and gone, the Boston Bruins have put themselves in a great position to make another playoff run thanks to minimal injury problems and some added veteran depth.

Jaromir Jagr has joined the team today after being traded from the Dallas Stars for two prospects, including Lane Macdermid, and a conditional second-round 2013 draft pick, but the Bruins weren't done dealing after the five-time Art Ross Trophy winner was signed.

Today, the Bruins completed a pair of moves.  Forward prospect Maxime Suave was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for another forward prospect, Rob Flick.  Sauve was injury-prone throughout his career with the Providence Bruins, and the 22-year-old Flick is a former fourth-round draft pick who will add a great physical presence.

The last deal of the day was involving the St. Louis Blues, who will send Wade Redden to Boston for just a seventh-round draft pick -- a sixth-rounder if he is to play in the playoffs.  Redden has never played for the B's, but has previously played with captain Zdeno Chara and currently injured Chris Kelly when the trio were on the Senators.  The Bruins picked up Chara as a free agent in 2006 when the Senators chose to re-sign Redden instead of the 6'9" defender.

The Bruins have had some defensive struggles with the sometimes lackadaisical play of Andrew Ference and Johnny Boychuk, not to mention the Adam McQuaid injury.  With a player like Redden, the Bruins have given themselves a player who can make those on the ice with him a better player.  With under a month remaining and every point making a difference, the Bruins look to be in good shape.

Report: Craig Breslow In, Matt Albers, Scott Podsednik Out

Jack Macgruder from FOXSportsArizona.com is reporting that the Red Sox have reached an agreement with the Diamondbacks to send reliever Matt Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik to Arizona for reliever Craig Breslow.

Breslow made his Major League debut in 2005, and has already donned a Sox uniform in the past, appearing in 13 games in the 2008 campaign.  The left-hander has a career 3.02 ERA and could bolster the bullpen in case an arm like Franklin Morales is needed back in the rotation.

More details to come.  Deadline is forty-five minutes away.

Trades Happening Left and Right, Cherington, Red Sox, Still Sleeping

With the trade deadline fast approaching (4pm, Tuesday) trade talk is dominating the Major League Baseball scene.  If you've been following along, you've undoubtedly noticed not only the number of deals, but the size of them.  And if you are a Red Sox fan, then that will make those deals seem that much bigger.

When the rumor mill got going, starting pitcher Josh Beckett was on the block, with GM Ben Cherington reportedly looking for a trade partner.  As quickly as it started, the rumor was snuffed out.  The Sox were reportedly interested in Marlins starting pitcher, Josh Johnson, but that news has all but completely died.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, in a very good position for a postseason run, have already acquired Hanley Ramirez, Randy Choate, Brandon League and now Shane Victorino from the Phillies in a deal made on Deadline day.

Former Sox GM Theo Epstein, with a next-to-last place Chicago Cubs team has been a seller at the Deadline, gathering prospects for Paul Malholm and Reed Johnson, as well as a separate deal dispatching Geovany Soto.  Not in the same position as the Sox, but still, the moves are getting done.

The Blue Jays, just a half game behind Boston, have dealt Travis Snyder and Eric Thames to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Brad Lincoln.  Another seller, but again, moves are made.

There is clear need for something to change in Boston.  Clay Buchholz is finally coming around, with another win last night to move to 9-3 on the season.  Other than that, their best starter is probably Felix Doubront.  If pitching wins championships, the Red Sox won't be winning any championships.

Injuries are always tough to deal with, especially the latest one to Ryan Sweeney, who will miss eight weeks after punching a door.

Offense hasn't really been a problem, I just think to give this team the motivation and to give its fans the confidence in them, some sort of deal needs to be made by 4pm.  .500 is unacceptable at this stage in Boston.  I have said it before and I will continue to say it, a $171 million payroll owes more to its fans and to itself.

What Do the Red Sox Need to Do?

The Red Sox need to play baseball.  They need to play the type of baseball that a team who started the year with a $171 million payroll needs to play.

If you've been following the blog, you'll notice that a few of my Red Sox posts could not have been more off the mark.  I assumed Franklin Morales would fold as a starter, then he went into Chicago and only gave up two runs while striking out nine through five innings.  When the Red Sox recently crushed the White Sox 10-1, then won with a Cody Ross walk-off (his third three-run home run in two days), I posted saying this could be the turning point for the team.

They were swept by the Toronto Blue Jays the next three games, and losing six of the next seven.

But this weekend in New York, the Red Sox stole two games from New York in a huge series.  What they need to start doing is winning at home.  This huge 100 Year Anniversary celebration has been marred by poor play and rumors about the Red Sox ownership trying to make this year a spectacle rather than focusing on the team itself.  With a 25-28 record at home, its 'do or die' time inside Fenway Park Monday night as the Sox open up a three game series with the Detroit Tigers.

The other issue swirling around has been what the Red Sox intend to do at the trade deadline.  In need of starting pitching, the Red Sox have already seen Zack Greinke and Anibal Sanchez change teams, and Roy Oswalt come back into the league -- with no offers made to any of them.  Josh Johnson's name has been thrown around the rumor mill as well, but with his lingering shoulder problems, his value is decreasing.  But if I ruled the world, a Johnson for Josh Beckett deal would be pretty enticing...

Another name floating around has been Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs.  Given the Red Sox familiarity with the Cubs, thanks to former GM Theo Epstein, could we see another Boston-Chicago deal?  Would we necessarily want another former Rays star who continued to kill the Red Sox even after they put on the red and white?

When you look at the Red Sox, you can't help but ignore those worry areas.  Where has Adrian Gonzalez's power gone?  Why has Jon Lester's season been an absolute roller coaster?  What is really wrong with Carl Crawford?  The team just needs to keep their heads down and play strong, focused baseball.  They have the offense to blow teams out, and they have the resolve to play small ball and steal a low-scoring game in extra innings.

August will be a big month for Boston, playing the Twins, Royals and Indians, all of whom are under .500, as well as big games against the Orioles and Yankees.