Sat Aug 02 23:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article rewrite based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Boston Red Sox made two relatively minor moves at the trade deadline, acquiring right-handed pitcher Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers and reliever Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. These additions, while potentially helpful, are considered insufficient compared to the upgrades made by their competitors in a tight American League playoff race. The Red Sox failed to land a top-tier starting pitcher, despite reportedly pursuing several options, and ultimately chose to hold onto key players like Jarren Duran. The moves are seen as a failure to fully capitalize on a season where the team is currently holding a wild card spot and has a chance to make a deep playoff run. Concerns remain about the starting rotation’s depth and the bullpen’s stability, particularly if closer Aroldis Chapman is unavailable.

**News Article:**

**Red Sox Make Modest Moves at Trade Deadline, Sparking Questions About Playoff Push**

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox concluded a relatively quiet trade deadline day, acquiring right-handed pitcher Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, and reliever Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. While these additions aim to bolster the team’s pitching depth, they’ve raised questions about whether they’re sufficient to compete in a crowded American League playoff picture.

“We were looking to solidify our pitching,” said a source within the Red Sox organization. “Dustin brings potential to the rotation, and Steven is a proven bullpen arm.”

May, 27, has a 4.85 ERA in 19 appearances this season and, while talented, is viewed as a backend starter. Matz, coming off a 3.44 ERA season in St. Louis, provides a valuable multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

The Red Sox, currently holding the second AL Wild Card spot with a 59-51 record, reportedly pursued higher-profile starters like Zac Gallen, Sandy Alcantara, and Mitch Keller, but ultimately couldn’t meet the asking prices. This failure to land a top-tier arm has led to criticism that the team could have pushed harder to improve their rotation behind Garrett Crochet.

“We remained engaged on top starters up to the end,” said a source familiar with the Red Sox’s trade deadline strategy. “San Diego hotly pursued Duran, but the Red Sox didn’t see enough return to move him.”

The Red Sox also opted to retain outfielder Jarren Duran, despite reported interest from other teams, signaling a desire to maintain the current roster’s core.

The moves are unlikely to drastically improve the team’s contention. Adding to the rotation and bullpen helped the Red Sox keep pace as their AL East division rivals Yankees and Blue Jays improved, and teams across a wide-open AL playoff picture added players.

General Manager Craig Breslow is expected to address the media later today to further explain the team’s deadline decisions. Whether these moves are enough to fuel a deep playoff run remains to be seen, as the Red Sox face a challenging schedule in the final weeks of the season.

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