Former Red Sox reflects on 'demoralizing' trade deadline in 2021

The Boston Red Sox have decisions to make surrounding the upcoming MLB trade deadline, as they'll need to be buyers, sellers, both or neither.

As the Red Sox continue to evaluate their position (currently tied for the final Wild Card spot in the American League with just over 60 games to go in their season), perhaps listening to some of their former players, like New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez, would be beneficial.

Last week, Martinez discussed the 2021 trade deadline, where the Red Sox acquired and injured Kyle Schwarber from the Washington Nationals and Hansel Robles from the Minnesota Twins, with Newsday.

"We got to the deadline and didn’t get anybody," Martinez said. "We needed help and we had to grind all the way back. Fortunately, we snuck into the wild card, but we saw teams all around us get better and we didn’t... I remember how demoralizing it was for the team, doing the opposite thing. Obviously, there’s a price and a cost. That has to be reasonable. But it’s definitely big. I know teams feel it, clubhouses feel it."

Schwarber ended up a big reason for Boston's 2021 run to the ALCS, which ultimately ended in a defeat at the hands of the Houston Astros while Robles posted a 3.60 ERA and a 1.360 WHIP in his 27 appearances down the stretch.

This year, the Red Sox need pitching help, both in the rotation and the bullpen, and they could also benefit from adding another right-handed bat. If they don't acquire the help necessary to try and make a run in 2024, this lineup may feel that same demoralizing feeling and could guarantee manager Alex Cora's departure in the offseason.