Boston also registered an interest in trading for Miami’s Sandy Alcantara, who, like Ryan, didn’t get moved before the trade deadline passed on July 31. In the end, the Red Sox weren’t able to bolster the top of their starting rotation, but they clearly tried to be aggressive, up to a certain point.

Major League Baseball’s annual trade deadline is always a whirlwind for players who find themselves dealt midweek, mid-series, or even mid-game. Or in Dustin May’s case, four days after he pitched at Fenway Park for the first time in his career.