Trade Deadline Wrap Up: Boston Red Sox

Trade Deadline Wrap Up: Boston Red Sox

In my previous article: http://www.totalsportslive.com/trade-deadline-report-boston-red-sox/ I talked about the moves the Red Sox have made leading up to the deadline. I also mentioned the possibility for more moves and sure enough, the Red Sox have sent shockwaves through the baseball world. Here were the moves made before the 4 PM deadline.

1. Red Sox trade LHP Felix Doubront to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later: This was an important move for the Red Sox who got an unhappy player in Doubront to leave although for very little in return. He is reunited with GM Theo Epstein and is in a position to start there, which was a demand of his. This was purely a change of culture move, and crucial to get a problem out of the clubhouse.
2. Red Sox trade LHP Jon Lester and OF Jonny Gomes to the Oakland Athletics for OF Yoenis Cespedes and a draft pick: This move came as a big surprise and set off the rest of the moves that followed. Many people expected the Red Sox to acquire top prospects for Lester, whose name began popping up in trade talks as the deadline approached. However, GM Ben Cherington surprised the world by acquiring the Home Run Derby champ, who will be under contract through 2015. The Red Sox desperately needed outfield help and added a player who has more HRs (17) than the entire Red Sox outfield (14). In addition, the Red Sox now have the top 2 AL leaders in outfield assists (Cespedes, Jackie Bradley Jr.). As for the A’s, they appear to be in a win now mode, by acquiring Lester to join an AL leading staff that includes Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, Jeff Samardzija, and Jason Hammel. To replace Cespedes, they acquired the electric Gomes, as well as OF Sam Fuld from the Minnesota Twins, for one of their excess pitchers, Tommy Milone. They will be a very tough out with the rotation they have now.
3. Red Sox trade RHP John Lackey and LHP Corey Littrell (High A – Salem) to the St. Louis Cardinals for OF Allen Craig and RHP Joe Kelly: The Red Sox continued the fire sale by sending their number two starter, in John Lackey to the Cardinals for a substantial haul. The Red Sox acquired Joe Kelly, who has a 2-2 record and 4.57 ERA and is someone who could be a starter for the club, as well as established OF Allen Craig, who had tremendous success against these Red Sox in last year’s World Series. Craig now joins a crowded outfield that could feature some combo of Cespedes, Bradley Jr., Craig, Shane Victorino, Daniel Nava, Brock Holt and even Mookie Betts in Triple A Pawtucket. The Cardinals also acquired a single A pitcher in Corey Littrell who posted a 5-5 record with a 3.60 ERA in Salem. The Cardinals have bolstered their rotation by adding Lackey and Masterson while the Red Sox add a starting pitcher and outfield help.
4. Red Sox trade LHP Andrew Miller to the Baltimore Orioles for LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (Double A – Bowie): The Red Sox finally found a match for Andrew Miller and traded him to a divisional rival, the Baltimore Orioles, for pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been uneven in Double-A action for the O’s going 3-7 with a 4.79 ERA. He is regarded as a top prospect however and a change of scenery may do him good. For the Orioles, they acquire a big piece for their bullpen and a guy who has been dominant in that 7th-8th inning role. Miller has been really solid and could help solidify the bullpen in Baltimore.
5. Red Sox trade SS Stephen Drew to the Yankees for INF Kelly Johnson: A fascinating move made between hated rivals, the Red Sox were able to deal Drew away to the Yankees and got an infielder in return. While Drew has been good defensively, his bat is way behind and was a negative for the team. The acquisition of Johnson may lead to Mike Carp being DFA’d. Carp requested a trade earlier this week, didn’t get it, and could still be on his way out. Johnson can play third base and along with Brock Holt, which helps slide Xander Bogaerts to SS and gives Will Middlebrooks his chance at third base after coming off the DL. Johnson could be effective and it will be interesting when the Red Sox and Yankees get together on Friday night at Fenway Park

That wraps up an incredible deadline for the Red Sox. It will be fascinating to see what the lineups look like in the future. Get ready to see some young arms, new faces and major league debuts. It is going to be exciting in the future in Boston!