Sox Make a Trade

The Red Sox traded two left-handed pitching prospects to the Marlins for OF Jeremy Hermida. The 25-year old Hermida has been highly touted coming through the Marlins' organization and has been ranked as high as the fourth best prospect in baseball. However, in five seasons Hermida has a .265 AVG, .344 OBP, and .425 SLG % to go along with 57 HRs, 210 RBIs, 426 Ks, and 190 BBs in 1708 career ABs. Those are not numbers reflective of a top MLB prospect. Not to mention the left-handed Hermida hit .189 in 106 ABs against LHP this season.

The Sox sent Hunter Jones and Jose Alverez to Florida. Jones posted a 9.24 ERA in 12 2/3 IP for the Sox this season, in Pawtucket he had a 4.25 ERA in 53 innings. Alverez posted a 2.26 ERA in 26 games between Single-A and Double-A.

Where does Hermida fit into this Red Sox team? Theo Epstien has coveted Hermida for a few years now, as his name floated around as a possible replacement to Manny Ramirez. So does that mean Hermida, who is under control for two more season going to replace Jason Bay in LF? This doesn't appear to be the guy who can compensate for Bay's lost production.

Will he be the fourth outfielder? With left-handed batters Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew, the Sox typically prefer a right-handed alternative to sub in but they almost never keep 5 OFs on their opening day roster. Nonetheless, lets hope he finds a niche on this team. Theo Epstien said today that, "we still think there's a good hitter in there."

Seems to be a typical low-risk high reward acquisition for Theo.

MORE:

• The Red Sox have a 15-day exclusive window now that the World Series is over to negotiate with Bay. We will keep you posted as reports come out about the negotiations. The last reported offer of four years $60 million was rejected by Bay and his agent.
• In other Sox news, it appears that the Sox will meet with Josh Beckett and his agent in the near future to discuss a contract extension. The 29 year old Beckett, who is due $12 million in the final season of his contract, is interested in staying with the team and the interest is mutual. It will be interesting to see what it takes to lock up the ace who is coming off of a 17 win season with a 3.86 ERA and 199 Ks.
• The Red Sox sent infielder Nick Green, RHP Fernando Cabrera and OF Joey Gathright to Triple-A Pawtucket. All three figure to become free agents. Green proved to be nothing more than a utility player after his production declined with extended playing time. Cabrera has a power arm, and never received a chance with the big club. It'd be great if they could bring him back. Gathright was brought in as a situational baserunner and is expendable.