In the past week, the Red Sox pulled off an exceptional trade in dealing Bronson Arroyo to the Reds for young slugger Wily Mo Pena. The Reds improved an asset on their ball club which was deeply lacking, while the Red Sox picked up a platoon for Trot that smothers lefties and has much more upside than, say, Dustan Mohr. Even though Theo received a player of high quality, the departure of Arroyo will be saddening. He seemed like a great guy on and off the field, an admirable teammate that enjoyed playing in Fenway every day and revered Boston. Also, Arroyo is just another one of the members of the greatest Red Sox team ever assembled, the 2004 squad, that have either been traded or released. Now we look back to those 2004 players. Have these moves paid off? Have they improved or hurt the teams chemistry, or neither? Would Theo do it again if he had the chance?
Nomar Garciaparra– A move that stunned Red Sox nation back in July of 2004 when the Boston icon was shipped to Chicago for Orlando, Doug and Dave. Nobody thought at the time that this would be the key acquisition to an improbable World Series run. But more importantly, who could have predicted the demise of Nomar after he left Boston? He was average for the Cubs in 2004, but in 2005 was plagued with injuries and eventually lost his shortstop gig and was forced to play third base. He recently signed a substantial contract with the Dodgers to play first base, but nothing close to the amount he could have received in the spring of 2004 from Boston, a contract proposal he rejected. Sure, the Red Sox got 60 cents on the dollar for Garciaparra, but the extraordinary defense and clutch hitting of Cabrera, the flashy leather of Mientkiewicz and the speed of Roberts made the trade worthwhile. And, you know, the ring.
Orlando Cabrera– A move very questionable at the time, though it was more comforting in January of 2005 when the Red Sox signed Edgar Renteria. I was floored at the way the front office treated Cabrera after the 2004 season. I know he was used basically as a rental for the second half of 2004 to fill in for Garciaparra, but it appeared Theo and Co. simply moved on without even considering Cabrera as an option. Regardless, Cabrera signed a sizable contract with the Angels. Renteria signed a sizable contract with the Red Sox. And both would then fold, Cabrera with the bat, Renteria with the bat?
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