Red Sox Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Boston's Potential Deadline Moves

The time to make a move and improve for the stretch run is now for the Boston Red Sox, who are currently 8.5 games out of the AL East lead, and four games out of the AL wild card with two months left in the regular season.

Boston has been involved in several trade rumors this summer and could go in a variety of directions at Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. 

Here's the latest buzz surrounding the Red Sox's potential deadline moves in 2012.

Red Sox Holding onto Key Pieces?

According to ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes on Tuesday, the Red Sox will most likely retain pitcher Josh Beckett, as well as outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Ryan Sweeney.

Boston was at one point attempting to send Sweeney to the Cincinnati Reds, but that deal is unlikely to happen anymore. Sweeney has since injured a finger on his left throwing hand and will likely join the disabled list, according to Edes. Sweeney is batting .260 in 63 games with the Red Sox this season. He has zero home runs and just 16 RBI. 

Meanwhile, Boston had been looking to the Texas Rangers in a potential trade to ship away Beckett, who is just 5-9 this season with a 4.57 ERA in 17 starts. Beckett is still owed more than $36 million, though, and that's a lot to bring on with no guarantee that he'll snap out of his funk.

As for Ellsbury, the winter may provide Boston with a better opportunity to move him, at least according to Edes via Twitter:

"

Reds did ask about Ellsbury, as has been reported elsewhere,but Sox not looking to move him now. This winter, tho, could be interesting

— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) July 30, 2012"

Catcher Kelly Shoppach on the Move?

The Red Sox could deal away catcher Kelly Shoppach to one of several interested teams in exchange for a much-needed asset to help them make a run at the wild card this summer.

According to The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo via Twitter, there at least two teams with interest in Shoppach:

"

Nationals and Brewers have interest in Shoppach.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 31, 2012"

Both the Nationals and Brewers are looking to get deeper behind the plate, and bring in someone who can spot them some production at bat, and Shoppach is perfectly capable.

The 32-year-old veteran catcher is batting .261 this season in 42 games with five homers and 15 RBI. Boston has needs in other places, however, and could benefit from bringing in a pitching prospect to help out their No. 1-ranked run-scoring offense. 

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