Boston chased Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly from Arizona by offering Connelly Early as the centerpiece, but the Diamondbacks sought more value than a late first-round pick and preferred to keep the veteran arms. Boston instead added Steven Matz and Dustin May to stabilize the rotation and bullpen as it pushes toward the playoffs. Gallen’s post-deadline form—2.20 ERA across seven starts (41 IP)—underscores the market’s premium on him, while May has struggled to a 5.40 ERA in five starts. Early looms as a tantalizing lefty prospect who could reach Boston soon, as Yoshida’s leadoff role keeps the lineup dynamic in Cora’s shuffle.