After the Ian Kinsler trade late Monday, the Red Sox attempted to add a reliever from the Washington Nationals, but stood pat with what they have in the bullpen, for now, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters at Fenway Park shortly after the 4 p.m. trade deadline passed. 

Players can still be acquired who'll be eligible for the postseason before Aug. 31, but would have to clear waivers. Boston, with the best record in baseball, would have the last shot at any waiver claim behind the other 29 teams. 

The reliever the Red Sox were eyeing was from the Washington Nationals, according to a source.

Dombrowski said the trade last night that was not reached was for a reliever. Said the other club changed its mind. Was one of the few relievers Red Sox felt would represent an upgrade.

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 31, 2018

The deal for a reliever that the Red Sox hoped would come through was indeed with the Nationals, source says

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 31, 2018

Dave Dombrowski: "We think realistically that our bullpen's pretty good... the improvements can come from within.

"Tyler Thornburg has thrown the ball extremely well. ... Hard to find a guy better than that at this point."

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 31, 2018

Buster Olney of ESPN reported earlier that Kelvin Herrera of the Nats was the reliever the Red Sox sought.

The Red Sox talked with Washington about Kelvin Herrera, but Nats informed other teams overnight they will try to win this year, so Herrera off the table -- but they are willing to discuss either Gio Gonzalez or Jeremy Hellickson.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 31, 2018