Putting a Bow on the Red Sox/Dodgers Trade

(REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

By Ben Wertz | @RangersExaminer

The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers completed a trade over the weekend that might go down as the biggest blockbuster trade in baseball history. On one side, you have the Red Sox beginning the process of revamping their team by cutting a ton of salary. On the other side, you have the Dodgers looking to win now with new ownership that has money to burn.

When you look at the trade on paper, it’s amazing it even got done with the big names that were involved and the salaries that were exchanged. The Red Sox sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to Los Angeles in exchange for James Loney and a package of minor leaguers. In total, there were nine players involved and over $250 million in salaries taken on by the Dodgers.
So what does it mean for both teams going forward? Well, it’s pretty clear both teams are going in opposite directions. The Red Sox have not made the playoffs since 2009, and there has been plenty of commotion inside that clubhouse during the last couple years. Boston did not make the postseason with either Gonzalez or Crawford on their roster in 2011, and it was obvious the team was not going to make it this season either. Crawford has been injury prone since the Red Sox signed him, and he will now miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery. Beckett has struggled mightily this season to the tune of a 5-11 record and 5.23 ERA and probably needed a new change of scenery.

From Boston’s perspective, they are beginning the process of rebuilding. In reality, they are not a team that looks to rebuild; they look to reload. With the $250 million they have saved by shipping these players off, they will have plenty of financial flexibility to make a run at some big-name free agents this offseason, such as Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke.

From Los Angeles’ perspective, they are looking to win now. They have not made the playoffs since 2009, but they are right there this season. The Dodgers currently trail the Giants by only two games in the NL West and are only 1.5 games out of one of the two wild card spots in the National League. By acquiring a four-time all-star and potential MVP candidate every season in Gonzalez and a proven postseason pitcher in Beckett, the Dodgers are sending a message that they are ready to win a championship.

Gonzalez is hitting .300 with 16 home runs and 90 RBIs this season and has plenty of experience playing in the NL West as a member of the Padres from 2006-2010. If Beckett can get his head straight, that’s a great addition for the Dodgers, whose rotation is already anchored by defending Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw. Beckett is a two-time World Series Champion and a former World Series MVP and would look really good as a #2 starter behind Kershaw in the postseason. Although Crawford won’t be able to contribute until next season, he probably needed a change in scenery too. He just wasn’t cutting it in Boston after being one of the most sought-after free agents in 2010. But, let’s not kid ourselves, Crawford is still a really good player in this league and could definitely be a contributor next season for the Dodgers.

At the end of the day, Boston cleared a ton of money off their payroll, while the Dodgers obtained some high caliber players that can contribute right away and in the future. Before this trade can be fairly evaluated, let’s see if the Dodgers can make it to the postseason and have success and the Red Sox are able to sign any top free agents this coming offseason.

Ben Wertz currently writes for Big Leagues Monthly and ShutdownInning.com, he is also a 2011 graduate of TCU. Follow him on twitter @RangersExaminer.