Three trades were finalized in the final hours of the August waiver trading/playoff eligibility deadline...
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The Boston Red Sox have announced the hiring of former Tigers general manager and president Dave Dombrowski as their president of baseball operations.
The Red Sox’ current general manager, Ben Cherington, has resigned from his position. He will help assist Dombrowski make the transition into Boston’s front office, but ultimately will no longer serve as the GM. Dombrowski was released from his duties in Detroit in early August. The 59-year-old Dombrowski has been well-regarded as one of the best executives within the game, helping to lead the Tigers to many successful seasons, including two American League pennants. He has been credited with bringing Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Max Scherzer, Yoenis Cespedes, and other stars to the Tigers in via trade, while also having success in the free agent market with signings like the one of Price Fielder. For his career, Dombrowski has spent time at the helm of three organizations: Detroit, the then-Florida Marlins, and the Montreal Expos. The switch is an interesting one for the Red Sox, who have disappointed after a big spending spree this offseason, which included bringing in the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, and others through both signing and trade. At the time of this writing, the Red Sox are 52-66 and are 9 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. Dombrowski’s apparent general managing strategy is different than that of Cherington. Dombrowski is known to be more of a scouting-first, go-for-it general manager, where as Cherington has shown to invest in both sabermetrics and the development of prospects. The 41-year-old Cherington has had successful years himself, leading the Red Sox to the 2013 World Series championship and being named the 2013 Executive of the Year for his efforts. He will likely find work within baseball elsewhere. —Devan Fink
The Texas Rangers acquired first baseman Mike Napoli and cash from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the teams announced. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com first reported Texas' acquisition of Napoli.
The 33-year-old Napoli did not garner much interest at the non-waiver trade deadline due to poor play. However, as he has played better in the past few weeks, it sparked a trade. Napoli heads back to Texas, where he spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons, to be a right-handed hitter off their bench and platoon at first base. Against left-handed pitching, the Rangers are have a dismal 84 wRC+, 24th in the big leagues. Mitch Moreland, the Rangers' left-handed starting first baseman, has been especially bad against southpaws, with a .672 OPS in 103 plate appearances against them. Napoli, on the other hand, has a .845 OPS against them, making him a perfect platoon partner. A free agent at the end of the season, Napoli made $16 million in 2014. Most, if not all of his remaining salary, will likely be picked up by the Red Sox in the trade. Overall, this season, Napoli is hitting a .207/.307/.386/.693 clip in 378 plate appearances with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. Over the past 28 days, Napoli is hitting .258/.347/.500/.847 with three bombs and 10 runs driven in. --Devan Fink
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired outfielder Shane Victorino and cash from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge, it was announced on Monday.
The Angels have been needing outfield help, as left fielder Matt Joyce has been struggling mightily this season, working to a .178/.224/.298 line over 278 plate appearances this season. It's been no secret that the team has needed an upgrade there. Victorino will fill that bill, as he leaves the outfield carousel that was the Red Sox' outfield. He has only played in 33 games this season partly due to injury, accumulating just 106 plate appearances, slashing a .245/.324/.298 line. The 34-year-old Hawaii native still has some speed, but it's not like it was when he was in his prime. This season he has successfully stolen all five bases he attempted and has yet to hit for a triple. His name has appeared in trade talk over the past few weeks and should get the opportunity to start in Los Angeles if they do not acquire a better option within the next week. If that does become the case, Victorino will be a solid fourth outfield option. --Devan Fink
With July 2--otherwise known as "international signing day"-- quickly approaching, prospects all around the world are perfecting their craft in hopes that they will get a minor league contract from a Major League club.
Cover Those Bases has learned of the agreements of 17 Venezuelan international prospects, per a source with knowledge of the situation.
Other Interesting Notes
--Devan Fink |
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