The final hours of the 2022 MLB trade deadline are upon Chaim Bloom and the Boston Red Sox, with Tuesday’s deadline officially hanging over the buy-or-sell Sox.

As for Bloom & Co.’s path, your next guess is as good as anybody’s.

There’s been plenty of smoke with the Sox, who are trying to turn the page after a horrendous July that’s put them 3.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the American League. It led to some fire Monday, with catcher Christian Vazquez reportedly shipped to the Astros for two prospects, as well as two other moves.

This is indeed the Red Sox walking the line between buying and selling, you’d think.

But there’s no shortage of rumors and talk when it comes to some of Boston’s other rental options.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 01: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox throws to first to force out Nick Senzel of the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Fenway Park on June 01, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

One player we know will not be on the move between now and the deadline is Xander Bogaerts.

Bogaerts said after Thursday’s win over the Guardians that he was given clarity as to his situation with the team, and informed that he would not be traded. Trading Bogaerts, who is due a major payday this offseason, would’ve been a clear-cut signal that the Sox were indeed full-on selling, which is something they’re reluctant to do.

It probably didn’t help that Trevor Story, who would move to shortstop (his natural position) on a full-time basis if the Sox moved on from Bogaerts, was shut down for at least two weeks due to a hairline fracture near his wrist.

Jul 18, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; American League designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) of the Boston Red Sox during batting practice at Dodger Stadium. (Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)

One player who feels like a true ‘goner’ from the Sox by Tuesday’s deadline, at least based on all the rumors that have surrounded his name for the last two weeks, is designated hitter J.D. Martinez.

It’s been said that the Mets have an interest in the 34-year-old. Given the Sox’ reported interest in some of the Mets’ younger talents, there’s a natural connection for a trade there. But the Los Angeles Dodgers have also been mentioned as a potential Martinez landing spot, and a team like the Mariners, currently clinging on to the second wild card spot in the AL, could certainly use some help from the DH spot.

Martinez, who has been an All-Star in four of his five years with the Red Sox, is hitting .288 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs this season. His July was straight miserable, though, as he hit just one home run and batted .210 in 21 games around a back injury.

Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) advances to third base on a double against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. (Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports)

And the Red Sox could also have a potential suitor for outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., with Dave Dombrowski’s Phillies among those with an interest in JBJ, according to Jon Heyman.

There’s an obvious Red Sox connection between Bradley Jr. and Dombrowski, and it would make sense with the Phillies in ‘buy’ mode after a white-hot run that’s put them one game ahead of the Cardinals for the third and final wild card spot in the National League.

Bradley Jr., who was acquired from the Brewers (along with prospects) for Hunter Renfroe last offseason, is hitting .210 with three home runs and 29 RBIs through 89 games this season.

Bradley Jr. is not a true rental, however, as he has a ‘mutual’ option for $12 million in 2023.

Jul 15, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

Potential buyers watched Monday’s Red Sox-Astros tilt closely with hard-throwing starter Nathan Eovaldi on the hill for the Red Sox.

The 32-year-old delivered in that start, too, as he recorded 19 outs, fanned six, and surrendered two runs (both unearned) in a winning effort over the Astros. Eovaldi’s fastball also appeared to have a bit more oomph behind it.

Eovaldi, who will be a free agent at the end of the year, has posted a 5-3 record and 4.11 ERA, along with 86 strikeouts, in 87.2 innings of work over 16 starts this season.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 26: Starting pitcher Rich Hill #44 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Another potential name of note: Rich Hill.

Originally slated to start Wednesday’s game in what would have been his first appearance since July 1, Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s pregame update Monday came with an announcement that Hill would not make that start. Hill was, however, activated after a three-pack of trades on Monday.

If you want to read into that without a trade in your mind, perhaps the Sox are looking at Hill as a potential bullpen option with all these trades throwing everything in a blender. Or, on the other side of the coin, the Sox know they’re going to move Hill by Tuesday’s deadline so why keep him penciled into their rotation?

Given’s Hill’s status as both the oldest active pitcher in baseball and a player still looking for his first World Series ring, it probably doesn’t make sense for a potentially retooling Red Sox to keep Hill for a snowball’s chance at a deep run. And if the trade market allows the Sox to capitalize and pick up some prospects from a win-now team, it’s probably worth asking if the Milton, Mass. native is cool with a move out of town.

Hill, who was part of those Dodger teams that lost the World Series in both 2017 and 2018, has posted a 4-4 record and 4.20 ERA in 15 starts with Boston this season.