Buy, sell or stay: Boston Red Sox

Today, I'm beginning a series of entries about what Major League Baseball teams should do as we approach this month's trading deadline. First up: the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox.

Strengths: Hitting. The Red Sox lead the majors in runs (451), on base percentage (.351) and slugging percentage (.449) and are second in team batting average (.279). Dustin Pedroia (.323 batting average) and David Ortiz (.321 batting average, 17 home runs, 61 RBI) are raking in the middle of the lineup, and Jacoby Ellsbury (.302 batting average, 54 runs scored, 34 stolen bases) has regained the form he showed two years ago, minus the home run power (only two homers).

Weaknesses: Relief pitching. This is actually nitpicking because the Sox have found their closer in Koji Uehara, who has allowed one run and struck out 10 batters since being promoted to the role June 26. Now, if they could only do something about Andrew Bailey, who has been horrible over the last four weeks.

Buy, sell or stay the course: Stay the course. Uehara has solidified the back end of the bullpen, while the offense continues to produce runs on a regular basis. Once Clay Buchholz comes back from his neck injury (likely after the All-Star Break), the Sox should be set for a nice stretch run to the AL East title.