WORCESTER — Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson called top Red Sox pitching prospects Connelly Early and David Sandlin into his office Sunday, telling them “it’s that time of the year.” The MLB trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. and Epperson had the two pitchers thinking they were being dealt.

Red Sox skipper Alex Cora believes that things are "different" this season, and that the team will look to add at the trade deadline, as transcribed by MassLive's Sean McAdam.

The Boston Red Sox have until Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. to bolster their bullpen to make a push for the playoffs.