Red Sox News & Links: Will the Sox Get a Big Return at the Trade Deadline?

News and notes from around Red Sox Nation.

With the trade deadline approaching, many eyes are on the Red Sox roster. Sean McAdam, a seasoned reporter on the Red Sox beat, recently noted that it's 'nearly impossible' to imagine Craig Breslow surviving this season as the Red Sox CBO.

Despite Breslow's precarious job security, he can point to several offseason moves that have been huge successes. The Willson Contreras trade stands out, with Contreras on pace to hit 38 home runs - eclipsing his previous career-high of 24.

Contreras doesn't seem too focused on setting individual records, though. 'I'm not looking to put the pressure on myself to get to 30 [home runs], or to get to some number,' he said. 'There's still a lot of season left, but I feel good at the plate, try to make contact, and if I get to 30, thank God.'

Another key move for the Red Sox has been Wilyer Abreu getting at-bats against left-handed pitchers. Abreu's success is no coincidence, as he practiced working the angle with a pitching machine off to the first base side.

While Contreras and Abreu have been major bright spots for the team, they're not likely to start the All-Star Game. None of the Red Sox players are even close in the first round of voting.

Some executives are pushing back on the idea that the Red Sox will get a big haul for any of their players at the trade deadline. 'You have to treat Sonny and Aroldis as one-year deals, and that's a big buyout,' one NL executive said.

Despite this, Sonny Gray remains confident he won't be traded. 'I'm not remotely paying attention to any of that,' he said.

News and notes from around Red Sox Nation.