It wasn't long ago when the Boston Red Sox reportedly were interested in a trade for New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, but that door appears to have closed.
Andy Martino of SNY.tv reported Monday an update on Boston's situation with the MLB non-waiver trade deadline set for July 31.
According to major league sources, Boston is out on Wheeler now. With Cashner on board, the Sox expect to now look for bullpen help.
The Red Sox completed a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for veteran starter Andrew Cashner on Saturday, and he's scheduled to make his first start Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays. Cashner fills a need for Boston, but the team's greatest weakness is its bullpen.
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The Red Sox 'pen has 18 blown saves (second-most in the majors), along with a lackluster 4.45 ERA. The team still doesn't have a real closer -- a problem that could intensify as the postseason races heat up.
Boston struggled over the weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers and lost two of three games at Fenway Park. The Sox enter Monday sitting 10 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East and 2.5 games behind the Oakland Athletics in the race for the second wild-card spot.
The Red Sox need to acquire at least one bullpen arm -- preferably one with experience as a closer -- to increase the team's chances of reaching the playoffs. Time is running out for the Red Sox, and their schedule over the next few weeks is brutal, highlighted by 14 consecutive games versus the Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays from July 22 through Aug. 4.
Update: Monday, 3:04 p.m.
In a hit to his potential trade value, Wheeler has been placed on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue.
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