This says gets me - what exactly is a #2 starter? Is Merrill Kelly one? Or Mitch Keller? Or do the Sox need Mackenzie Gore or Freddy Peralta? Or are they #1 starters?
Backup catcher is a small problem, agreed. But it’s also the easiest one to fill. If they can get a reasonable one for Nick Sogard or Connor Wong, why not?
Bullpen help is every team every year. But yes, the Sox need some. Not necessarily Emmanuel Clase. But bring in an arm or two.
1b is a big need. Toro/Gonzalez are absolutely not going to keep up this torrid pace. Fortunately for Boston, it’s also a position rarely in demand at the deadline. Rhys Hoskins made sense, especially after Milwaukee acquired 4’2” Andrew Vaughn. But he went and got himself hurt. Other available names include Josh Naylor (real name Joshua-Douglas James Naylor), Josh Bell (real name: Joshua-Douglas Evan Bell), and Ryan O’Hearn. My bellybutton is not puckering and unpuckering with delight. I suppose Naylor aka JDJN and his cartoon villain resemblance is the top dog…