According to sources, the Red Sox remained engaged on top starters up to the end. San Diego hotly pursued Duran, but the Red Sox didn’t see enough return to move him. Boston tried to trade for Eugenio Suarez with the intent of moving him to first base before Arizona sent him to Seattle.

Alex Cora was in the Fenway Park offices for the trade deadline on Thursday, and he believes the two deals the club made will help the team contend down the stretch.

In the immediate aftermath of the deadline, it doesn't feel like the Red Sox did much of anything, let alone enough to solidify them as a serious playoff team.