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Hmm, I didn’t see this one coming. Not at all. The Red Sox today traded LHPs Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez for the rights to 25-year old OF Jeremy Hermida, who is entering his second year of salary arbitration. The 6-2, 222 Hermida has been slightly above average playing for the Marlins in the NL. As far as we can tell, he is potentially the fourth outfielder for this club in 2010; he may also be a trade chip as part of another deal. I think the latter may make more sense, because Hermida is pretty wretched with the leather and the Sox have more need for a right-handed OF reserve to spell J.D. Drew. So let’s take a look at what we got:
As the minor leagues wrap up their seasons, there’s a lot of activity to report on. Adam Kilgore gives his nominations for best performances at each position. Congratulations to the Lowell Spinners, who won the Stedler Division title this year.
Joel Sherman of the NY Post reports that the Yankees blocked the trade of Chris Carter to the Mets as revenge for the Sox signing Paul Byrd, who they apparently thought they would get. What is this, the 3rd grade? Boston had to pull Carter back and will have to wait until the offseason to ship him to Omar Minaya and company. Not sure how this waiver claim hurts the Sox really, other than limiting their 40-man roster temporarily; but Theo Epstein is an expert at finding someone to DL when he needs room to work.
Junichi Tazawa was sent down to make some room in the bullpen, but he is expected to be back and to rejoin the rotation in a week, according to Terry Francona.
Sorry, bad title, I know. Interesting article out from Buster Olney. He claims that the reason the Sox were happy to let Santana to go to the Mets last season was concern over his elbow and decreased velocity. It’s easy to say that now, but if it’s true, it makes the Red Sox look like double geniuses, considering the contributions of Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie the past two years.
Speaking of the devil, congratulations to Ellsbury on his Red Sox record. And don’t look now, but Lowie is acting healthy again.
Well, those of you who were hoping for a little left-handed bullpen help will be disappointed. Billy Wagner has officially blocked his trade to Boston after the two sides could not come to terms on his upcoming player option and arbitration. Basically, Wagner wanted the Sox to guarantee his opportunity to go to free agency this offseason as a closer; by asking them to decline his option AND not offer him arbitration, he was denying them any compensation for him, should he turn out to be a dud for two months. Apparently the player the Mets wanted was more than an organizational guy, or else the trade would have gone through.
There are rumblings that the Red Sox have traded for shortstop Alex Gonzalez today. The slick-fielding infielder played on the Red Sox in 2006, then signed a free agent contract with Cincinnati. In limited playing time this season, he’s produced a dismal .210/.258/.296 line in 270 PA. He played there one year, then lost all of 2008 to injury and personal issues. He’s only 32, and still shows his fielding ability, but I question what else he can bring to this club right now. If not anything else, I think Chris Woodward is out of a job.
Apparently, it’s a done deal. Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price will be joining the Cleveland organization, and the Red Sox will acquire 1B/C Victor Martinez. The 30-year old Martinez, a switch-hitter, brings a .284/.368/.464 line with him and the flexibility to play first base, DH and catch, which should ensure enough playing time for him. He also brings some postseason experience from 2007, which we know the Sox value.
In order to make room for the newly acquired Adam LaRoche, the Red Sox placed 1B/OF Mark Kotsay on waivers today. If he clears, the move allows the Sox to option Kotsay to Pawtucket. It would also qualify him to be traded after the July 31 deadline. This leaves Rocco Baldelli as the only backup outfielder on the 25-man roster; that can’t remain the case for long; the only other emergency outfielder on this roster is Kevin Youkilis.
For those of you predicting a Theo Epstein masterstroke by the trade deadline, one of our targets has been traded already. LF Matt Holliday has been reportedly shipped to the Cardinals for top 3B prospect Brett Wallace and two other prospects.
It looks like someone else besides Julio Lugo still believes he can play shortstop in the Major Leagues. In case you haven’t heard yet, Lugo was traded to St. Louis for 1B/OF Chris Duncan, son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, and a PTBNL. Cards fans have a right to be dismayed, but he can’t be too happy with this deal either. Here’s my evaluation:
