Sox get Martinez for Masterson, two prospects; deal LaRoche to Braves for Kotchman
4:30 p.m. The New York Post's Joel Sherman reporting that Roy Halladay has not been traded.
4:15 p.m. ESPN reports, in sort of a throwaway line in its Martinez story, that a bigger deal for Halladay fell apart when the Sox refused to part with both Buchholz and Bard.
3:41 p.m. Regarding the LaRoche-Kotchman deal, FoxSports writes: "The Red Sox's motivation in adding Kotchman is not as clear. Kotchman is an outstanding fielder, and the Red Sox's defense would improve if he were at first and Kevin Youkilis got the majority of playing time over Mike Lowell at third. Martinez, under that scenario, presumably would get most of his at-bats at catcher and DH."
3:39 p.m. A baseball source confirmed to the Globe's Tony Massarotti that the Red Sox have traded LaRoche (and about $1 million in cash) to the Braves for Kotchman.
3:25 p.m. The New York Post's Joel Sherman confirms that the Yankees have acquired utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Reds.
3:21 p.m. Yahoo! Sports's Gordon Edes reports that the Red Sox have dealt Adam LaRoche to the Braves for first baseman Casey Kotchman. Kotchman, 26, is batting .282 with six homers and 41 RBIs this season. LaRoche spent the first three years of his career with the Braves. He was acquired by the Red Sox on July 22 from the Pirates for a pair of prospects.
3:19 p.m. The Globe's Tony Massarotti confirms that, according to a baseball source, the Red Sox have traded Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price to the Indians for Victor Martinez.
3:17 p.m. Tom Verducci of the MLB Network says Salem righthander Bryan Price is the third player the Sox are including in the Martinez deal.
3:12 p.m. ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi says he's "got nothing" when it comes to a possible deal for Roy Halladay.
3:06 p.m. USA Today's Bob Nightengale, who broke the news of the Victor Martinez deal an hour ago, tweets that it is a done deal. He does not indicate which players the Sox are giving up.
3:03 p.m.: SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Braves would be interested in Adam LaRoche if the Red Sox make him available. LaRoche, who spent the first three years of his career with the Braves, would probably be expendable if the Red Sox complete the Martinez deal.
2:55 p.m.: ESPN's Peter Gammons confirms that Hagadone and Masterson "are involved" in the deal, but doesn't confirm that the deal is done, just that trade talks are heating up.
2:52 p.m.: SI.com's Jon Heyman confirms that Masterson, who is 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA for the Red Sox this season, is in the deal.
2:37 p.m. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports that the Red Sox are parting with pitchers Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone, a 2007 first-round pick. The Sox may also be giving up additional prospects, according to Mayo.
2:26 p.m.: FoxSports reports that "the Indians' exact return is not known, but the Red Sox did not include either righthander Clay Buchholz nor righthander Daniel Bard in the deal, according to a source."
2:21 p.m.: A baseball source told the Globe's Tony Massarotti that the Red Sox and Indians are close to a deal for Martinez. It is unclear at this point which players the Red Sox are trading. The deal was first reported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
2:17 p.m.: According to the FoxSports report, the Martinez deal is straight-up between the Red Sox and Indians with no third team is involved. The report also notes that the deal will "almost certainly end" the Red Sox's pursuit of Gonzalez, who is likely to remain in San Diego.
2:13 p.m.: A source confirms to FoxSports's Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal that the Sox are on the verge of acquiring Martinez. Still no word on what the Sox will be giving up.
1:56 p.m.: According to a tweet by USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale, the Red Sox are about to acquire Victor Martinez from the Indians. We'll have more on this report if/when it can be confirmed.
1:51 p.m. The Rays are another team that has been said to be in the mix for Martinez, but according to ESPN's Jayson Stark, they have turned their attention toward adding pitching help if anything.
1:44 p.m.Heyman reports via Twitter that Padres closer Heath Bell's name has come up in trade talks with the Sox, prompting this question: "Isn't Boston's 'pen good enough?"
1:31 p.m. ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that an unnamed team executive told him that the Padres asking price on Gonzalez is astronomical. When asked exactly what that means, the executive replied, "Three times the asking price on Halladay." Seems to confirm Jon Heyman's previous report on San Diego's demands, doesn't it?
1:27 p.m.: For those hoping the Sox might re-acquire Orlando Cabrera as a stopgap at shortstop, no such luck. The A's have dealt him to the Twins for prospect Tyler Ladenorf.
1:12 p.m.: Heyman's SI.com blog updates his tweet regarding Gonzalez and the Sox. He notes that the sides are discussing a "big package" that includes Buchholz, Masterson and Lowrie in exchange for Gonzalez. However, Heyman writes, the sides are still pretty far apart, and Boston is still in the mix for Cleveland's Victor Martinez. He also notes that the Padres are pressing for prospects Lars Anderson and Ryan Westmoreland, but that the Sox may have deemed Westmoreland and pitcher/shortstop Casey Kelly untouchable.
1:05 p.m. If Jon Heyman's most recent tweet is accurate, the Padres' asking price for Gonzalez is beyond steep: "Red Sox still talking adrian gonzo. buchholz, lowrie, masterson in mix. sd wants ryan westmoreland and lars anderson, too. He also notes that the Sox and Tigers were among the teams to ask about Seattle ace Felix Hernandez.
12:49 p.m.: Another update from MLB senior writer Jonathan Mayo via Twitter: "Source tells me chances of Tribe dealing [Victor Martinez] is about 50 percent"
12:45 p.m.: MLB.com senior writer Jonathan Mayo tweeted that the he is hearing that the odds of the Padres dealing Adrian Gonzalez were "very low at this point".
12:41 p.m.: Nothing really new to report at this hour, but a couple of our readers were wondering about the contract situations of the so-called Big Three of potential Red Sox targets. Here they are, courtesy of Cot’s Contracts.
- Roy Halladay is making $14.25 million this season and is under contract for $15.75 million for 2010, becoming a free agent at the end of next season.
- Victor Martinez makes a very reasonable $5.7 million in 2009 and has a club option for $7 million for 2010 (with a $250,000 club buyout). However, if he is traded, his 2009 salary goes to $6.2 million and the 2010 option rises to $7.5 million.
- Adrian Gonzalez is a bargain at $3 million this season, will get $4.75 million next season and has a $5.6 million club option for 2011.
And while you’re waiting for something to happen, share your thoughts on what the Red Sox should do in this survey:
11:39 a.m.: According to ESPN.com's Rumor Central (Insider only), Jayson Stark reports that the Red Sox have "pokers in the fire" on Halladay, Gonzalez, and Martinez as of this morning. He also speculates that the Red Sox would need a third team in the deal to acquire Gonzalez, if only because the recently acquired Adam LaRoche would probably need to be dealt elsewhere . . . SI.com's Jon Heyman notes that the Sox are poised to make a splash at the deadline, and a rival executive tells him believes Gonzalez is the primary target.
11:14 a.m.: The Globe's Tony Massarotti just checked in to report that according to well-placed baseball source, the Red Sox and Padres are continuing discussions this morning about Adrian Gonzalez. It is unclear which Red Sox prospects the Padres are pursuing, but considering that San Diego lacks depth in its farm system, there is the possibility that the Red Sox could supply San Diego a collection of players while hanging on to some of their elite prospects.
11:02 a.m. Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is sending out signals this morning that he doesn't expect the Jays to deal Halladay. When asked via text by Yahoo! Sports's Tim Brown whether "[a] club had rallied into his consciousness, Ricciardi texted two words: “Nothing going.” And the New York Post's Joel Sherman tweeted this response from Ricciardi: "I would say it is highly probable that he (Halladay) is a Blue Jay (at 4:01 p.m. today)."
* * *
The MLB trading deadline is just five hours way, and the Red Sox, one of few teams with the resources financially and in terms of prospects to make a major deal, figure to be -- and certainly seem to be -- right in the middle of the action.
Will they go all-in for 27-year-old San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who would be an ideal fit in the middle of their lineup for years to come? Or will they possibly deal for Cleveland switch-hitting catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez, who will probably cost less in return. And of course, they could always become players in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes.
It should be a suspenseful day for Sox fans, and we'll keep you updated right here as the rumors and whispers fly leading up to the deadline. For now, here is a brief roundup of what's going on as it pertains to the Sox and the Big Three that they may be pursuing:
Gonzalez: According to the Globe's Nick Cafardo, there were indications late last night that trade talks between the Padres and Red Sox concerning the Padres first baseman were still active and would likely peak today before the trade deadline. Padres GM Kevin Towers was said to be asking for "a ton" for Gonzalez according to one major league source familiar with the Padres' thinking. Some of the names being discussed included Clay Buchholz, Lars Anderson, Jed Lowrie, Ryan Westmoreland, Justin Masterson and others, but no word on whether the Red Sox had offered a package for Gonzalez . . . Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald writes that the Red Sox are much more actively pursuing the Padres' big bat than they are the Indians' Martinez . . . The New York Daily News adds that there is the possibility that the Sox could also obtain reliever Heath Bell from San Diego if Daniel Bard is included in a deal.
Martinez: ESPN's Jayson Stark writes that the Red Sox and Indians were discussing a three-way trade Thursday night that would send Martinez to Boston, Clay Buchholz to Cleveland and prospects flying in all directions, according to clubs that spoke to both teams. Writes Stark: "The Red Sox also would attempt to move recently acquired Adam LaRoche, either to a third team or in a companion deal, to make room for Martinez in their lineup, one source said." . . . SI.com's Jon Heyman reports According to ESPN's Peter Gammons this morning on the "Mike and Mike" radio show on ESPN radio: "I was told the Indians don't think they're going to do anything today." . . . FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are reporting that the Indians are “pessimistic” about their chances of moving Martinez . . .The Globe's Nick Cafardo notes that the Red Sox have been reluctant to deliver Buchholz for the catcher/first baseman.
Halladay: Ricciardi remained pessimistic about trading his ace, Cafardo reports, but as one team's top adviser said last night, "where there's a huge pitcher available some teams don't show their best hand until the final moments of the deadline. You might see that with Boston at the end." . . . Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star writes that Halladay is staying with the Jays, which makes Toronto a trading-deadline winner already.
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Thanks for the updates Chad [& Globe staff]. I'll be tuning in to see if and when any deals happen! It looks like Gonzales is the main target. Hopefully they can get him!
The flurry of true Red Sox interest in upgrading our team, is something certain Sox fans reject out of fear, ignorance, and misguided love for existing players VS understanding that winning is our team's #1 priority..........GO THEO!!!!!!
WE NEED A BAT SO WE CAN HAVE AN UNTAINTED WORLD SERIES FOR 2009.
Let's see.....
Pitching
1.Beckett
2.Lester
3. A hurt Wakefield
4? Penney - yea right
5? Smoltz - Yea right
What we need to do is trade a picher to get another infielder that has numbers exactly like the infielders they would replace. This is rediculous.
We need a VG quality starter to get us to the playoffs, not another 1st baseman / catcher
The recent performance enhancing drug news about David Ortiz may change things but I am surprised I don't hear Big Pappy's name mentioned more in trade talks. Wouldn't it make more sense to keep a Mike Lowell and move him into the DH spot given that he can still play 3rd base and his injuries make him less valuable as trade bait? The man can still swing a bat very well despite the injuries and it is only in the field where he suffers. Ortiz is clearly on the decline and while his recent success are notable he may be someone who might get more bang for the buck in a trade along with some prospects for a Halladay or Gonzalez. Am i nuts??
Sox can not hit. La Roche can hit and field. Why give up the farm for another first baseman? He is younger. Need Halladay. Maritnez is a great hitter. Bay and Youkilis are now .200 hitters and strike out almost every at bat. Contract worries have destroyed Bay. Marriage has destroyed Youkilis.
So the Sox are interested in Halladay, Gonzalez and Martinez!!! WOW!
How about getting back to us when you actually have something to report instead of recycling information that we all have access to.
Cut the whole team, at least everyone over age 27. The post-PED era has started, and it's a young man's game. I love Mike Lowell, but I'd rather watch my Dad run the bases. Thanks to all of them for the memories, but bring up Pawtucket and let's get clean again.
What are the chances the Sox could also be trying to coax Peavy into a deal with the Padres? Peavy would have to suddenly want to play on the east coast and have it proved that his injury is minor, but hey, who knows...
That'd certainly allow the Pads to dump all sorts of payroll and allow teams like the Sox who have a glut of minor league talent to be comfy with getting rid of that talent...
If not, is Peavy generating interest anyway for other teams?
Did the Sox get Laroche only to trade him a week later? They're having trouble making a deal for what they really want and and I think that's Halliday but Toronto is balking. So the next best option is Gonzales. If they can't get him will they settle fpr Martinez? I for one hope not. This is remarkably similar to JAnuary when the Yankees swept in for the kill - will they do it again? I certainly hope not but will not be surprised if they do.
Might as well just tune in at 4pm to see what happened....these leaks are useless.
If this club doesn`t make an impactful trade and rid the prospects. WE GET NOTHING THIS YEAR and the Yankees win, or Phillies or other teams trying to win. We need another quality pitcher and a big BAT. LET`S GO THEO!!!!! MAKE SOME NOISE......THIS TEAM CURRENTLY ISN`T READY FOR THE POST SEASON AS IS. MAKE SOME NOISE...
I would love to see the Sox get Halladay. Beckett, Halliday, Lester.....maybe the best playoff starting rotation ever. I'm not worried about the bats. They have a lot of veteran guys who will know how to turn it on come the playoffs.
Pitching wins World Series.
We need a good pitcher - we already have enough infields/outfielders.
The bats may be a little quiet right now, but our hitters are good. Pitching, on the other hand, is weak once you get by Beckett and Lester.
Imagine a rotation of Beckett, Lester, Halliday!
Hearing Mo Vaughn was spotted taking BP today, is this true?
Please please get Gonzales!!!!!!! Let Lowell DH, and move Youk perm to 3rd. Done deal.
Currently Lowell is the only steady, clutch hitter the Sox have, and he is a great plus in the club house. Having him as the DH AND a much better than average third baseman would surely be a plus. His mobility will improve too as gets more rest/rehab time. Any one of the new guys would help to light a fire and getting us thinking positively again.
Sounds to me like the Padres are asking WAY too much for Gonzalez. I know the Sox need a bat, but if we're going to throw away all of these prospects, better to throw them toward Halladay, IMO.
OH no...Pads are asking for toooo much. Dont pull the trigger Theo.
It's time to stop the dreaming and swooning over the deadline. Given his history and the current state of the roster (riddled with holes), Theo needs to stand pat. Despite a huge payroll, the truth is that C, RF, DH, and 3B are ancient and unreliable. All four positions are on the brink of becoming "below average". Two other positions (CF and SS) are unproven. The best player on the team (Bay) is a 50/50 chance of leaving. It's time to keep the prospects and youth to rebuild. Poseur fans will have to realize that there may be a year or two out of the playoffs required to fix Theo's current mess.
Awesome. So instead of paying cash for Tiexiera we get to trade away the farm for Gonzalez. Brilliant. Yankee$ win this round.
Buchholz, Masterson, Lowrie...does anyone else think that may be giving up too much? Isn't Lowrie our shortstop of the future?
Who plays Shortstop if Lowrie goes in a trade?
I want Gonzo but San Diego has to be joking if they are asking for Buchholz, Lowrie, Masterson, Westmoreland and Lars Anderson.
Do they want the Portland Sea Dogs too?
Ridiculous, no GM in the right mind trades 5 young prospects for a first baseman unless his name is Pujols.
San Diego is a joke.
I want Gonzo but San Diego has to be joking if they are asking for Buchholz, Lowrie, Masterson, Westmoreland and Lars Anderson.
Do they want the Portland Sea Dogs too?
Ridiculous, no GM in the right mind trades 5 young prospects for a first baseman unless his name is Pujols.
San Diego is a joke.
WHY ARE WE STILL ON THE SIDELINES? LETS GO AND GET A DEAL DONE!!!!!
I'd go one for one - Papelbon for Gonzales. Both young, in their prime all-stars. Bard can take Paps' closing role.
Chad this is awesome, really appreciate it bro.
no just get gonzalez with that lowrie deal. who cares if its ridiculous? trade laroche for a shortstop in a 3-team deal so what? or at least trade buccholz for halliday wtf
Jay, yes you are nuts....check yourself into a mental facility immediately if you think that's a good idea. And for everyone who wants to see them get Gonzalez, you're nuts too. The price that it seems the Padres are asking for him means mortgaging your future to win now. We need some of those prospects to compete in the future. If they should trade anybody for another pitcher, let's trade Matsuzaka, he's never done anything good. We need another pitcher, and another hitter but shouldn't have to mortgage the future to get them.
Gonzo goes to first, Yuke goes to third, Lowell goes to DH and Papi goes bye-bye.
Deal what you have in abundance for what you don't have. Sox have pitchers coming up, tell me where the power hitters are on the horizon? Lars? Are you sure? Deal Buchholz and others for a long-term big bat in a one of their weaker positions. Example, Adam Dunne is a big-time bat who could play right field and is just 6 months older than Teixeira. He's not married to the Nats. Yet no talk about him.
How about putting Papelbon in the mix for the Halladay trade? He's only got 1 year left on his contract and has already pretty much said he's going for the money after that even if it's to the Yankees. The more I see Bard, the more I feel he can be our closer. ERA's are almost identical (2.05 JP to 2.08 DB) and I Bard is improving and JP is declining.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale via Twitter: the Red Sox are about to acquire Victor Martinez from the Indians.
Hope they didnt give up Buchholz or any other top prospect. Martinez is nice, but nothing special and not worth Buchholz, IMO
Being reported that the Sox are set to acquire Victor Martinez. I guess the asking price for AGONZ was too high for them.
//Hearing Mo Vaughn was spotted taking BP today, is this true?//
Nope that wasn't him. I just saw him down in R.I. flipping trucks on the highway!
Way ta go Mo!!!!!!
I'd like the V-Mart deal a lot more if they could get a quality SP. Right now it's Beckett, Lester, and pray for rain. Don't know whether they'd have enough top-tier prospects left to land Doc too. Too bad they couldn't swing a V-Mart and Cliff Lee deal, but the Phils got Lee.
A catcher? Do we really need another catcher right now? Or is this part of a whole multi-team trade....
Too bad if it's true, we don't need Martinez.................
Canseco says that a recent Hall of Fame player used steroids. He's been right about this stuff so far. Who can he mean? Must be someone who played in his era. Can it be Henderson, Ripkin, Gwymm, Boggs, Rice, Sandburg, Eck, Molitor, Eddy Murray, Gary CArter, Winfield - I'll stop there.
Good work, Finn. You people at the Globe must think those of us out here in the real world don't know how to use Twitter for ourselves.
Meanwhile, the brave and intrepid reporter, Tony Mazz, hasn't provided an update since 11:14. What's he been doing all day.
Goodbye Clay..
Not Martinez... nooooooo! He's a crappy catcher. And guess what? Put him at first and his offense is average, at best. We're getting robbed if we trade anyone of value for him. I'd rather have Laroche
So we're going to give up the #1 prospect (Clay) who's been touted for years, for someone who will be a part time player here and has very similar stats, except average, than our current catcher? Doesn't seem like a good deal
ehhhhh ..
Looks like the Sox win the booby prize with Martinez. What a disappointment, compared to the sexier names available.
OK...that San Diego deal for a guy hitting below .250? Masterson, Lowrie, Buchholz, Anderson, and Westmoreland for a hitter who can't hit? I hope Theo is waiting until Sn Diego says yes. Then instead of agreeing to the deal he just laughs at Towers and hangs up.
why do we need a 3rd catcher/1B??
who is now the odd man out? this to me seems panicky, like getting something done at the wire for the sake of making a trade. i hope theo didn't give up too much; given his atrocious history of in-season trades i'm a little nervous...
halladay better be looming.
"According to a tweet by... Bob Nightengale"
Heh.
does this mean Varitek is done?
no clay in deal? mmmm hope he shipped to blue jays for DOC!!
ahem -- are you forgetting about Papi????
You can never have enough pitching. The Red Sox need another ace in the hole.
Please tell me Halladay is near. C'mon Theo pull the friggin trigger already.
Or keep us on the edge of our seats until 4:00.
Getting Martinez for Masterson/Hagadone is a steal + leaves the possibility open for Halladay...
Great deal for the Sox - Martinez next year for $7.5 million is a bargain. Wonder where LaRoche is going? I would guess Kotarras is going back to Pawtucket if he has options left.
Sounds like Halladay and Gonzo are both going nowhere (until Cash-man swoops in at the last minute for Halladay? but they won't part with their top prospects either). So if Masterson goes to Cleveland for V-Mart, does Wake go to the pen as a long/mop-up reliever?
Sox getting Martinez is great but we still need another starting pitcher. Hurt Wakefiled, Tired Penny, Old Smoltz wont win a world series
What does the team need more than anything? A good hitting shortstop. Why don't we give our right arm for Tulowitz? Martinez' average has declined a bunch recently.
Sox will not make the playoffs AND they traded young prospects. Brilliant.
Can't wait to see four guys getting to the ballpark each day not knowing IF they are playing, and if so, WHERE they are playing. Platoon catcher. Platoon DH. Platoon 1B. Platoon 3B.
Another catcher. Hmm. Why don't we just throw in another 2nd baseman too. One name.....Halladay.
i dont care much for masterson.... but i know nothing about martinez... i know hes good... but not whats going to put this team over the top...
Hey Chad - I know that everyone thinks that Gammons is actually the Commissioner, but he reports, not confirms. Who is his source?
DONT TRADE MASTERSONNNNNNNNNN!
LOL at "Theo's atrocious history of in-season trades" on post #24. You do know that Nomar for Cabrera was a mid-season trade right? Same with Ramirez for Bay. And you also know that Renteria was an off-season signing right? Same with Lugo...
Where's this "atrocious history of in-season trades"???
I'm OK with getting Martinez if they don't need to include Buchholz or Bard in the deal, but agree with a lot of people that are saying the Red Sox need Halladay too to make any noise this year - just too many holes. One guy isn't going to make the difference this year. Good thing they traded for LaRoche - geesh! Hold on to Buchholtz and the top prospects for an offseason deal unless Halladay is coming in return. BTW - doesn't the Globe have any of its own investigative reporters? It's comical to read, "According to MLB.com, SI.com, ESPN.com, even stinkin' USA Today!!!!! Last time I checked the Red Sox offices were right in Boston. Don't you guys cover the Red Sox 24/7?
Like the deal. They don't have enough offense and Martinez's bat in the middle of the lineup will help a great deal. Gave up a couple good young players, but not the ones the Sox value most. Gotta give up something.
Martinez would be great. Three weeks ago, the Sox were within a game of having the best record in baseball. Despite slump, and pitching injuries, with VMart, they should be very near the top.
I think think they should now aim to get Bucholtz arm and confidence in gear to be No. 3 starter in playoffs.
I would much rather trade Bucholz than Masterson. Bad move by the Sox.
Does acquiring Martinez mean anything for George Kotteras? Or is it likely that Martinez wouldn't do much catching here?
When is Theo going to wake up? We Need a Shortstop that can field and hit. Orlando Cabrera ring a bell? No....he get Lugo for 9 million per season. Oakland paid 5 mill for him this year.
Martinez isn't worth 3 players. He can 't catch, play short stop or a corner outfield slot (Sox needs). He's not much of a 1B either. Can he hit, yes. But, another DH? Good bye Mikey Lowell, good-bye Adam LaRoche (what was that deal all about theo?).
Dirt is reporting deal is done, beating Gammons, Heyman, and Mazz. ahahahaha A STEAL FOR RED SOX!!!!!!!!!! Masterson is just another middle reliever where we are already log-jammed, setting the stage for moving Smoltzie to pen and Hagadone is just another bright prospect for which we have a slew of. So we acquire a 3-time 30 year old All-Star catcher for next to nothing and we can slowly wave goodbye to our beloved no throw, no hit, no run catcher Varichoke.
Much better move getting rid of Masterson than Buch. Much more of an upside for Buch.
LaRoche to the Braves for Casey Kochmann - another 1B - Why??
How do the GMs have any time to make trades if they're sourcing so many reporters?
OUTSTANDING DEAL! YOU KEEP BARD AND BAUCHOLTZ AND STILL GET MARTINEZ. Masterson is good but you have to give to get. GREAT WORK THEO!!!
I agree with "David", I'd much rather Buchholz be dealt than Masterson... Masterson has proven himself worthy in my eyes, Buchholz has been inconsistent at best.
I agree with "David", I'd much rather Buchholz be dealt than Masterson... Masterson has proven himself worthy in my eyes, Buchholz has been inconsistent at best.
LaRoche/Kotchmann deal part of a bigger trade....just wait and see. Sox going to get Gonz or Halladay.
Boston traded LaRoche for another 1B?!?
Tell me they have a 3rd deal line up...
Two first round picks and Masterson? No thanks! Martinez is around replacement level if he can't play catcher (he doesn't well).
That's a fine deal netting Martinez. Now go get Halladay.
Why pick-up Casey Kotchman? Unless it's part of another deal that will either involve Lowell or Kotchman.
We have a surplus of corner infielders at the moment!
Casey Kotchman? WTF? Swapping first basemen?
Great trade for the Sox. Masterson is an adequate middle reliever, easily replaced. Hagadone has some upside but has done nothing yet and is coming off of Tommy John surgery; Price is years away, if he ever even makes it to the Bigs. V-Mart is a very capable catcher and first baseman who is an excellent hitter, averaging almost 300 with 30 HRs and 100 RBIs per season. Tek, Ortiz, and Lowell are all near the end. Martinez can catch, resting Tek; play 1B, moving Youk to 3B, or DH, with Tek behind the plate, Youk at 1B, and Lowell at 3B. Bottom line: Sox pick up a premier hitter who strikes out very little, without giving up much of anything.
Guess you can't have enough 1st basemen, huh?!?! Not a bad deal for Martinez, but we will miss Masterson's versatility & also his happy-go-lucky attitude. Good luck in Cleveland, Justin.
Kotchman? What the...?
LaRoche (1B) for Kotchman (1B)? WTF?
Losing Masterson for Martinez feels like Yahtzee.
We're throwing decent dice into a cup, shaking and praying, and coming out with slightly less decent dice.
Not happy.
So what.. not much batting average in exchange for good pitching. How many high hitting catchers can you name. Crappy deal.
LaRoche for Kotchmann? That makes no sense at all unless someone else desperately wants Kotchmann...
So...theres no room for Laroche so we trade him for another 1st baseman?
Why did we just trade LaRoche for Kotchman straight up??? Has to be for salary reasons because LaRoche is a much better ball player.
I am liking the V-Mart trade you guys have to realize we didn't have to give up to much besides masterson you can double that for both A Gonz and Halladay
Kotchman have options left???
Why did we just trade LaRoche for Kotchman straight up??? Has to be for salary reasons because LaRoche is a much better ball player.
I am liking the V-Mart trade you guys have to realize we didn't have to give up to much besides masterson you can double that for both A Gonz and Halladay
Why on earth did they trade for 2 first basemen? Is there something we don't know?
Please use Kotchman as some type of trade bait to go along with Buchholz, Anderson, Bowden, etc... for Halladay. We just got a 1B/C/DH in VMart!
Yahoo sports is saying it's a done deal.
yawn, yawn , yawn
Gotta say I was waiting on Masterson to be dealt about a month ago become Francona doesn't seem to know how to use him, sadly, for Cleveland anyway, I was thinking he probably should have been the one sent back to the minors for some more seasoning (kind of been being lit up recently). So, message to the starters, you have to go six innings. I have also heard we dealt LaRoche to Atlanta for Kotchmann? Huh? I would have maybe thought we would have looked for a player for some other position than first base.
I like the VMart trade alot. Sure, it hurts to lose Masterson, but we had to give up something. Now we can move Smoltz to long relief and get Clay in the rotation full time without looking over his shoulder. Plus, we don't lose our top prospects as I'd rather have starting pitchers w/ promise (Bowden, Clay, Kelly, etc.) than give up a reliever (Masterson). Yes, Haggy is projected to be a SP, but he's not as highly touted as the others mentioned. As for the Kotchman deal, I don't get it. Sure, Casey has been someone that has potential but we should have gone after Yuniel Escobar which would have taken care of our huge hole at SS. + He could leadoff.
Why Laroche for Kotchman?
why did they just trade a 1st baseman for another 1st baseman?
lame trades. 2006 redux.
I know it's not going to happen but I hope we get Roy Halladay.
And I hope we get just one more good player.
Gonzales would be nice but we all know it's not going to happen in 20 mins.
STARTING PITCHERRRRRRRRRR PLEASE.
I find it interesting that TSN.ca confirmed this exact trade like 20 minutes before boston.com, and as I write this, espn.com has still not confirmed it. Way to go Canada on your coverage of America's past time! Embarrassing if you ask me.
Can't believe they got Martinez without having to give up Buchholz. None of these guys are anything the Red Sox can't replace, although they are good. Good job Theo.
I wonder if another shoe is going to drop in the next 20 minutes?
I hope they can get a SS maybe even Scuttaro from Jays either last minute or as a waiver deal.
Major League Baseball must be having a sale on first basemen. I just hope Martinez doesn't use the same trainer as Ortiz.
Yankees and Jays are too quiet!
HORRIBLE.. Goodbye best bullpen in baseball... Masterson was LIGHTS OUT in the Playoffs last year..
why traded away Masterson but not delcrapman ?
Why LaRoche for Kotchman? First baseman for first baseman. Seemed like LaRoche could hit well in Fenway.
Yankees and Jays are too quiet!
I don't get it-though I don't know alot about baseball-doesn't this give them 2 catchers and 3 first baseman?
why did we just trade LaRoche for Kotchman?????
hopefully this means another deal is in the works but i would have though LaRoche would be a better trade
Interesting to know how the team graded Masterson in the end, I question that he had less value than Buchholz. I thought he had a bright future and at the end of last year he was untouchable as far as trades went. Thought he would have been a solid starter and he proved that he belonged in the Bigs, Buchholz has yet to prove it over a season. Buchholz stays, meaning this chip could still be sent elsewhere in a future trade.
I was hoping that we'd get Adrian Gonzalez. Oh well. Martinez is a good pickup- we needed a bat in the middle of the lineup.
I'm glad we didn't get fleeced by Ricciardi. Halladay was hurt a large part of 2k4 and 2k5, and he's going to want an extension to cover the years he's in his mid-30s. Not a good risk to take.
I imagine that we still are among the few teams that have salary flexibility and can still make a move as players get released later in the year...
What did they accomplish with the LaRoche-Kotchman swap? Both are LH/bat left and play first base? Have either of them ever played the OF?
What did they accomplish with the LaRoche-Kotchman swap? Both are LH/bat left and play first base? Have either of them ever played the OF?
Why are they trading LaRoche for Kotchman? LaRoche has been looking good in our line up and gives us the left handed batter. Even though Kotchman is also a lefty, his stats look a bit lower and he's had some health issues.
Terrible. Just terrible.
WTF would the Sox trade Laroche for Kotchmann? Unless the Sox are gonna flop him in another trade, it makes no sense.
WTF would the Sox trade Laroche for Kotchmann? Unless the Sox are gonna flop him in another trade, it makes no sense.