Revisiting Los Angeles Dodgers-Boston Red Sox trade
Revisiting the Los Angeles Dodgers-Boston Red Sox trade
It’s been almost nine months since the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox completed one of the biggest trades in Major League Baseball history. At the time of the trade — last August — the Dodgers were hoping to bolster a lineup and make a run for the postseason. It didn't work and critics jumped all over the Dodgers for making such a trade.
The Red Sox’s intention, with the trade, was to dump the huge salaries of Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett and start from scratch. Critics jumped all over the Red Sox for “giving up” and selling the team, resulting in a rebuilding mode that fans hated to be a part of.
Since the trade, a lot of things have happened. The Dodgers have struggled in 2013 and have shown few signs of life. On the flip side, the Red Sox have been one of baseball’s biggest surprises with a hot start to the season.
On the field, the trade has affected the Dodgers a lot more. All four Red Sox, who came over in the trade, are currently on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster and have all seen action this season. The same can’t be said for the Red Sox. Only two of the five Dodgers, who came over in the trade, are still with the Red Sox organization and only one of those players has seen action in the majors this season.
Let’s take a look how all nine players in the trade are doing.
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Gonzalez has publicly said he never felt comfortable in Boston even though he had great numbers while calling Fenway Park his home. The Dodgers are happy he calls Dodger Stadium his home now. He has been the most productive hitter for the Dodgers this season, hitting .331 with 27 RBIs.
Carl Crawford, OF
Crawford was a big bust in Boston thanks to numerous injuries since he signed his big contract in December 2010. Many people in the baseball community thought Crawford would never return to top-tier form because of his injuries. But since his stint with the Dodgers began, he has been a pleasant surprise at the top of the order with 24 runs scored and a .299 batting avg.
Josh Beckett, RHP
Beckett was only a part of this trade because of his contract. The Red Sox wanted no part of his million-dollar contract and the only way the trade would work is if the Dodgers agreed to take on his salary. It was a risk the Dodgers had to take if they wanted to get Gonzalez, the centerpiece of the trade. Beckett has struggled in Dodger Blue and is currently on the 15-day disabled list. Before his injury, he was 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA.
Nick Punto, 2B/3B
Punto was not a factor last year for the Dodgers after the trade, but that has changed in 2013. The switch-hitting utiltyman has been a big part of the Dodgers offense this season, filling for injured players Mark Ellis and Hanley Ramirez. His .333 batting average is tops on the team and he has played near flawless defense. He will be an important player for the Dodgers this summer.
James Loney, 1B
Loney struggled to be the power hitter the Dodgers hoped he could be and was a player the Dodgers had been trying to move for years. When he arrived in Boston, he struggled just as much as he did while in L.A. and he opted to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason. So far, so good for Loney. He has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball with a .359 batting average.
Allen Webster, RHP
Webster wasn't the Red Sox' first choice in the trade. They wanted Zach Lee, but the Dodgers were not going to budge on their top pitching prospect. Webster is no slouch, though. He was the No. 2 pitching prospect in the farm at the time for the Dodgers. But he has struggled this year. The right-hander has made two starts this season for Boston, giving up 10 earned runs in 7.2 innings. He is currently back in Triple-A, but expect to see him back in the majors if a Red Sox starter gets hurt.
Rubby De La Rosa, RHP
De La Rosa was once considered a big-time prospect for the Dodgers until Tommy-John surgery halted his climb in 2010. But he recovered nicely and was back to throwing his fastball in the mid-90s. Some scouts said he was the best part of the trade for the Red Sox. I agree. I think this kid will be a star one day. He is currently pitching in the Boston farm system. But just wait. He will be back in the majors soon. He is going to be special.
Jerry Sands, OF
Sands played in 70 games with the Dodgers over the course of two seasons, hitting .244 with seven HRs. He was a player the Dodgers kept hoping would pan out. He never did. After the trade, the Red Sox didn't see much in him either. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the offseason and has been struggling in the minors all season.
Ivan De Jesus Jr.
De Jesus Jr. was a top prospect for the Dodgers since he was signed in 2005. But injuries and being stuck behind All-Star Rafael Furcal hurt his chances of making it to the Big Leagues until he finally got his shot in 2011. He played two years with the Dodgers and hit a weak .204 while playing choppy defense. His stay did not stick with Boston for long. He was traded last winter to the Pirates and is currently in the minors.
