Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Red Sox [team stats] didn’t just unload $270 million in yesterday’s deal with the Dodgers. They received some legitimate talent in return, too. While first baseman James Loney is the only player with extensive big league experience, a pair of minor league pitchers hold quite a bit of promise.
The Red Sox announced the acquisitions of Loney, as well as Double-A right-hander Allen Webster and Triple-A infielder Ivan De Jesus. Two more players to be named later — confirmed to be Triple-A right-hander Rubby De La Rosa and Triple-A outfielder/first baseman Jerry Sands — will join the organization after the season because they didn’t clear waivers.
While Loney might represent only a one-month fix before hitting free agency, he’ll at least fill a need for the rest of the season.
He’s a lifetime .284 hitter who’s batting .254 this year with four homers and 33 RBI. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter owns the third-highest postseason average among active players at .349 (22-for-63).
“We’ll get a chance to get to know him,” said general manager Ben Cherington. “He’s a good defender, he’s very durable, he’s played a lot. We think he’s got a pretty good swing for Fenway. I think he’s excited to hit in a different ballpark.”
Webster may be the key to the deal. The 22-year-old right-hander began the year as the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect, according to Baseball America, and he landed on the Top 100 list of ESPN’s Keith Law, as well.
He’s 6-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 22 starts at Chattanooga and will probably report to Double-A Portland, Cherington said.
“Athletic, good stuff, three plus pitches — fastball, slider changeup,” Cherington said. “He has been a pretty consistent performer. We think he has a chance to be a good major league starter.”
Herald: Red Sox trade with Dodgers not just salary dump
Everywhere I go, I keep hearing, "Red Sox in 2017". Sure, that would be great, but the Sox will have some serious spending power in the winter and we should fully expect that they will be in contention much sooner than 2017.
The Sox are in the process of rebuilding the farm system and regaining some pieces that they lost in previous trades. Getting a number 2 prospect and having the ability to buy some players to fill in some of the power void left by Adrian Gonzalez.
The Sox are doing the right thing by making the major change that was needed and are setting themselves up for a bright future.
Don't dwell too much into Gonzalez's homer in his first at-bat with the Dodgers, that relationship is over. We are better without him.
On Page 2, There is a weird aura in the Red Sox clubhouse
On Saturday afternoon, several hours before the announcement making the blockbuster trade with the Dodgers official, the lockers inside the Red Sox clubhouse that had belonged to Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and Nick Punto had already been claimed.
Crawford’s locker now belongs to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, while Mauro Gomez has Gonzalez’s. Clay Buchholz’s name was above Beckett’s but that apparently was only temporary as Buchholz was being trumped by the more senior John Lackey. Punto’s locker had the generic ‘Boston Red Sox’ nameplate over it.
Such is the nature of baseball, even with a trade of this magnitude. Everyone moves on.
“Nothing surprises me in this game,” said Cody Ross. “It’s just I’ve seen so much now it’s like another trade. But this isn’t just a little trade. This is a blockbuster deal that will probably go down in the history as one of the biggest. But it still doesn’t surprise me.”
Still, a deal of this size and scope, one with the potential to transform both the immediate and long-term outlook for a team can be unsettling to those who are left behind.
"Weird, I guess, is a good word," said Ross of the vibe in the Sox clubhouse. "I come in and expect to see Punto here and he's gone. Gonzo walking around and Josh. Obviously Carl's recovering from [Tommy John] surgery but you're used to seeing these guys' faces throughout the year and all of a sudden they're gone. It just kind of gives you a weird feeling. But we'll get over it. We have a game tonight we have to worry about."
CSNNE: Red Sox clubhouse "weird" after blockbuster
There will be a weird aura surrounding the Red Sox for a while, maybe until next April and maybe beyond. The Sox just dealt 2 players that were major acquisitions less than 2 years ago and we all thought they would be pulled off of waivers.
That blockbuster trade is not the end of the story. There will be other moves, whether it is hiring, firing, trades, and you better believe some signings. The dismantling of the shit left behind by Theo was almost completed in one deal. I can't wait to see what Cherington does next.
Related: Herald: Players feel a big change in clubhouse
The rest of the links:
Herald: Anatomy of megadeal | Adrian Gonzalez homers in first at-bat with Dodgers | Roger Clemens back on the mound at 50 | Here's how to finish what the Sox started | Fans cheer shakeup, pick other players to boot | Red Sox not alone in year of the dog | New Sox same as old | Bobby Valentine, Ben Cherington give players fond farewell | GM Ben Cherington labels his Sox | Adrian Gonzalez homers in debut, Dodgers beat Marlins 8-2 | ESPN Boston: Gonzalez, Beckett discuss Boston exit | Q-and-A with Beckett, Gonzalez | Globe: Cherington: Red Sox needed major change | Red Sox suspend Aceves for 3 games | CSNNE: Gonzalez homers in debut, Dodgers beat Marlins 8-2 | Roger Clemens back on the mound at age 50 | Ross feels fine after twisting knee | Dodgers shocked Gonzalez was made available | Passan: Mega trade has been in the works since July
