dealing Richards would be selling low and the only upside to Richards is the fact that he is controllable at reasonable money next year if he shows life at the end of this season. Right now, he has negative value.
The sox have a chance to do something big, but I doubt they do it. I think Bloom et al realize the power vacuum in the AL with the Yankees falling off a cliff, so they won't sit entirely idle, but I doubt they pony up for a Kris Bryant or a Scherzer. Next year, presumably with Sale and Houck healthy from the start, Pivetta in the middle of the rotation and maybe a QO accepted ERod, they could spend on a big arm to have a formidable top 5. That plus a stabilized Durran in year two and a lineup that still has the 4 horseman should make for a top title contender. Too much uncertainty this year and too thin a farm to gut with the window likely being a year away