When the Red Sox seemed relatively satisfied with losing Victor Martinez and were not necessarily at the forefront of the Adrian Beltre sweepstakes, it almost appeared as if there was a tad degree of complacency. That was never the case, of course. The wheels were turning in a major way and on Saturday they may have done enough to race the club to the top of the American League East.By agreeing in principle to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres, the Red Sox have pre-empted the upcoming winter meetings with the biggest move of the offseason, and one that could remain the biggest move in baseball all the way to April.
It is the culmination of a flirtation of more than a year between Boston general manager Theo Epstein and the Padres superstar, whose general manager Jed Hoyer has indicated would be impossible to retain in San Diego’s low-priced future.
Rumors fly rampant in baseball unlike any other sport, but because of Hoyer’s contention and the fact that Gonzalez would be such a perfect fit in Boston, where Kevin Youkilis can seamlessly slide to third base and where the new first baseman can get the long-term deal he wants, this one always had legs. On Saturday, those legs have apparently reached the finish line. Finally.
When the deal is done a handful of top prospects, including promising right-hander Casey Kelly, likely will be headed to San Diego. Unless Epstein cleaned the closet with every name Hoyer threw out there, it will be worth it, at least on paper.
Gonzalez has averaged a .288 mark, 32 homers and 100 RBIs in five years in San Diego, where half his games are played in spacious, pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His career OPS at home is .800. It is .943 on the road. If trends hold true this is potentially a monster presence in the middle of the Red Sox’ lineup for years to come, a la Manny Ramirez when he came in 2003 and helped alter the franchise’s path.
With all due respect to Beltre and Martinez, questions surrounded both as to whether they would indeed be monster presences in the middle of that lineup for years to come, Beltre due to the fact that his remarkable year in some ways came out of nowhere and Martinez due to his advancing age as a catcher.Gonzalez brings with him few question marks, provided the shoulder surgery that will keep him on the sidelines until March or even April is not an issue down the road. He is a fan favorite in San Diego not just for his production and the fact that he grew up in the area, but also for his understanding of the intangibles. He is always prepared, plays his position very well, almost never misses a game and is adored the clubhouse. Gonzalez’s demeanor will suit him just fine in Fenway Park, where fans have been pining for him for months.This obviously just about rules out any return of Beltre and when he signs elsewhere the Red Sox will receive at least one more top draft pick, potentially two. Group those with the two they received when Detroit took on Martinez and the supplemental pick they will get if and when Felipe Lopez finds a potential suitor and you have a pretty decent haul on your hands. Even if the Red Sox still bring in someone like Jayson Werth to play left field -- a move which remains a distinct possibility -- and they are forced to cough up a draft choice they will come out on the plus side, loaded with picks entering a loaded draft.
Read More:Acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez Shifts Balance in AL Eas
It is the culmination of a flirtation of more than a year between Boston general manager Theo Epstein and the Padres superstar, whose general manager Jed Hoyer has indicated would be impossible to retain in San Diego’s low-priced future.
Rumors fly rampant in baseball unlike any other sport, but because of Hoyer’s contention and the fact that Gonzalez would be such a perfect fit in Boston, where Kevin Youkilis can seamlessly slide to third base and where the new first baseman can get the long-term deal he wants, this one always had legs. On Saturday, those legs have apparently reached the finish line. Finally.
When the deal is done a handful of top prospects, including promising right-hander Casey Kelly, likely will be headed to San Diego. Unless Epstein cleaned the closet with every name Hoyer threw out there, it will be worth it, at least on paper.
Gonzalez has averaged a .288 mark, 32 homers and 100 RBIs in five years in San Diego, where half his games are played in spacious, pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His career OPS at home is .800. It is .943 on the road. If trends hold true this is potentially a monster presence in the middle of the Red Sox’ lineup for years to come, a la Manny Ramirez when he came in 2003 and helped alter the franchise’s path.
With all due respect to Beltre and Martinez, questions surrounded both as to whether they would indeed be monster presences in the middle of that lineup for years to come, Beltre due to the fact that his remarkable year in some ways came out of nowhere and Martinez due to his advancing age as a catcher.Gonzalez brings with him few question marks, provided the shoulder surgery that will keep him on the sidelines until March or even April is not an issue down the road. He is a fan favorite in San Diego not just for his production and the fact that he grew up in the area, but also for his understanding of the intangibles. He is always prepared, plays his position very well, almost never misses a game and is adored the clubhouse. Gonzalez’s demeanor will suit him just fine in Fenway Park, where fans have been pining for him for months.This obviously just about rules out any return of Beltre and when he signs elsewhere the Red Sox will receive at least one more top draft pick, potentially two. Group those with the two they received when Detroit took on Martinez and the supplemental pick they will get if and when Felipe Lopez finds a potential suitor and you have a pretty decent haul on your hands. Even if the Red Sox still bring in someone like Jayson Werth to play left field -- a move which remains a distinct possibility -- and they are forced to cough up a draft choice they will come out on the plus side, loaded with picks entering a loaded draft.
Read More:Acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez Shifts Balance in AL Eas
