The Deadline Has Passed

The trading deadline has come and passed and the Red Sox made a big move this year. Last season, they stood pat and ended up getting burnt. This season the Sox trade for closer, now set up guy Eric Gagne. You may have heard of him before, he holds the record for most consecutive save chances converted. All that Gagne cost the Red Sox was Kason Gabbard, David Murphy, and Engel Beltre. Gabbard had been starting for the Sox as of late, but his success depended a lot on his defense, and getting lucky. He isn't much more than a fringe starter/long reliever. And the Sox have pitching depth in the minors to easily replace him. Murphy was never going to crack the Red Sox outfield as is, with Jacoby Ellsbury and Brandon Moss in the minors, and Pena/Drew in the majors. He doesn't project to be much more than a 4th outfielder, so the Sox aren't losing much here either. As for Beltre, I don't know much about him, except he is supposedly a 5 tool CF, and is 17 years old. It is tough to tell whether or not those tools will translate into skills, and guys like this are usually a crapshoot anyway. Don't count out the possibility of Boston being able to find another OF before August 31st, a guy like Bobby Kielty (who has success against lefthanders) should be available. I really like this trade, not much was given up by Boston and in return they get a great relief arm. Theo wasn't able to find the right deal to improve the offense and the bench. So if you can't improve your weakness, you may as well increase your strength.

Butters