Boston Red Sox

Smiles and high-fives have become commonplace around Fenway Park these days, but nobody has grinned wider and slapped hands more enthusiastically than the guy most often on the mound at game's end.

As of August 30, 16 major league teams either hold a playoff spot or are within 6.5 games of one and could be looking to improve their playoff chances by making a waiver-wire deal by tomorrow's deadline to add players who will be eligible for a playoff roster.

Eleven August trades have happened thus far:

Red Sox rookie Xander Bogaerts made his Major League debut last week during a road trip, signalling his arrival as the latest impact infield prospect to arrive in recent years.

If the 20-year-old can live up to the hype placed upon him as Baseball America's No. 8 prospect heading into the season, Boston may have added a future star to their lineup in the midst of a pennant race.

As Red Sox Nation holds their collective breath for the return of Clay Buchholz, a quick look at the Boston rotation should strike fear into the heart of anyone that believes the 2013 squad is poised to join the 2007 and 2004 teams as recent World Champions.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ryan Dempster decided to practice vigilante justice on Sunday night when he threw at New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 7:22 p.m. ET

While there are still two-and-a-half months left in the 2013 regular season, it is not too early to look ahead to what the Boston Red Sox's starting nine will look like on Opening Day next season.

There will be some new faces, but many of the options the Red Sox have are already signed to long-term deals or are young, athletic players who could make a huge difference in the playoff race.

Let's see who is in the starting lineup come Opening Day for 2014.

Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz was ejected from Saturday night's road game against the Baltimore Orioles after smashing the bullpen phone in the visiting dugout.

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington is currently in the midst of a search for a starting pitcher who can replace Clay Buchholz in the franchise’s rotation.

Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports a few players the Red Sox are scouting:

The announcement, confirmed by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, of a new, seven-year, $100 million contract extension between Dustin Pedroia and the Boston Red Sox is a boon for both parties, giving Pedroia a lucrative, long-term extension while supplying

The Boston Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia are on the precipice of an agreement that could make the face of the franchise the highest-paid second baseman in Major League Baseball.