The Red Sox landed some big fish over Thanksgiving, and this might only be the start.
On November 25, the Sox officially announced the acquisition of right-handed pitchers Josh Beckett and Guillermo Mota, and third baseman Mike Lowell from the Florida Marlins. In return, the Marlins received two coveted prospects, shortstop Hanley Ramirez and right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez, along with the lesser-known minor league right-handers Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia.
This is an absolutely monumental trade. By relinquishing contracts to two solid prospects and an additional two relative unknowns, the Red Sox gain three players who have proven themselves regularly on the major league stage.
Beckett has showed himself to be a perennial Cy Young candidate at the age of 25, shelving the World Series MVP in 2003. In 103 major league starts, he has posted a 41-34 record and an impressive 3.46 earned run average. And at such a ripe age, accompanied by the tutelage of sage ace Curt Schilling and the knowledgeable Jason Varitek as his catcher, the young pitcher is primed for great times ahead.
Lowell is coming off of an unproductive year offensively, having posted a .236 average with only eight home runs and 58 runs batted in last season, but he did manage to snag a Gold Glove award for his defensive capabilities at third base. With an average of .280, 25 home runs, and 95 runs batted in over the previous five years, last year could easily have just been a glitch in an otherwise prosperous career.
During his career with the L.A. Dodgers as a set-up man for the lights-out closer Eric Gagne from 2002 until 2004, Mota was dominant. Sporting an ERA of 2.67 over that span, he provided the perfect link between starter and closer. Although he faltered during his one and a half seasons with the Marlins, there is hope that he can find a niche in the Boston bullpen and strengthen one of the 2005 Red Sox weaknesses.
This move may only be the beginning of influential changes for the Boston Red Sox over the next few weeks. With baseball's winter meetings in Dallas starting December 5, it is possible that the team will announce a new General Manager within the next few days. Matters of great importance to the Red Sox will most likely be discussed at the meetings, including the trading of left fielder Manny Ramirez and the signing of free agents, including center fielder Johnny Damon.
The most likely suitor for Ramirez at this point appears to be the New York Mets. New York's GM Omar Minaya was quoted as saying, "I'm going for it," in reference to the Ramirez trade, according to Newsday. The Red Sox reportedly would look to acquire outfield prospect Lastings Milledge, as well as a major league player, possibly left fielder Cliff Floyd.
Damon, the Red Sox catalyst leadoff man, has recently hit the free agent market. According to the Boston Globe, his agent, Scott Boras, has been looking for a seven-year deal worth about $84 million. The Red Sox have reportedly offered a deal closer to three years, $30 million. Should Boras find a team willing to shell out the cash for such an enormous contract, the Red Sox would be missing a hitter at the top of their order and a capable glove in center field.
With Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, a three-time Gold Glove winner, reportedly on the trading block, Boston could try to work out a deal. The Twins have coveted Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, and with a seemingly full pitching rotation Boston could stand to lose one of their starting pitchers.
There are an infinite number of moves the Red Sox could make to improve their roster significantly over the next few weeks, especially at the winter meetings.
For Red Sox Nation, it is now just a matter of waiting to see what other presents the team reels in for the holidays.