Boston Red Sox 2013 Start

[AlpineSK]

November 1, 2016

Final Red Sox Statistics

Hitters:

C Joe Mauer - .274; 7 HR; 52 RBI
C Carlos Ruiz - .227; 0 HR; 9 RBI
1B Freddie Freeman - .290; 25 HR; 108 RBI
1B Eric Hosmer - .340; 30 HR; 107 RBI; .436 OBP; 104 Runs
1B Darin Ruf - .345; 1 HR; 3 RBI in 11 Games
2B Dustin Pedroia - .307; 16 HR; 86 RBI; 52 2B
3B Will Middlebrooks - .276; 26 HR; 97 RBI
SS Zack Cozart - .276; 19 HR; 70 RBI
IF Pedro Ciriaco - .207; 0 HR; 4 RBI
LF Jackie Bradley Jr - .261; 11 HR; 80 RBI; 100 Runs; 14 SB
CF Cameron Maybin - .245; 10 HR; 40 RBI in 123 Games
CF Ben Revere - .259; 4 Hr; 41 RBI; 26 SB in 134 Games
RF Hunter Pence - .261; 13 HR; 50 RBI

Pitchers:

SP Cole Hamels - 14-4; 3.17; 121 K's 2 CG; 1 SHO
SP Taijuan Walker - 15-9; 4.03; 195; 2 CG
SP Jacob Turner - 14-5; 3.60; 139 K's; 1 CG
SP Jon Lester - 12-8; 3.52; 206 K's; 1 CG
SP Bud Norris - 7-4; 4.82; 110 K's; 2 CG; 1 SHO in 30 Games, 18 Starts
SP Yovani Gallardo - 3-7; 5.09; 1 SV; 83 K's in 15 Games, 12 Starts

MR Joba Chamberlain - 10-1; 2.27; 8 SV, 85 K's in 61 Games
MR Charlie Furbush - 7-3; 3.26; 2 SV; 105 K's in 55 Games
MR Jhan Marinez - 4-2; 3.72; 0 SV; 70 K's in 37 Games
MR Joe Thatcher - 1-2; 3.05; 0 SV; 27 K's in 44 Games, 20.2 Innings
SU Jordan Walden - 5-4; 2.34; 7 SV; 73 K's in 64 Games
CL Brian Wilson - 2-5; 4.18; 39 SV; 68 K's in 62 Games

[AlpineSK]

November 1, 2016

Red Sox Team Leaders

League Leaders in Bold/Italics

HITTERS:

G - Freddie Freeman/Eric Hosmer 160
R - Eric Hosmer 104
H - Eric Hosmer 197
2B - Dustin Pedroia 52
3B - Zack Cozart 5
HR - Eric Hosmer 30
RBI - Freddie Freeman 108
SB - Jackie Bradley Jr 14
AVG - Eric Hosmer .340

PITCHERS:

G - Jordan Walden 64
GS - Jon Lester 32
IP - Jon Lester 219.2
W - Taijuan Walker 15
K - Jon Lester 206
CG - Cole Hamels/Bud Norris/Walker - 2
SHO - Cole Hamels/Bud Norris - 1
SV - Brian Wilson - 39
ERA - Cole Hamels 3.17

[AlpineSK]

December 1, 2016

ML Award Winners Announced

AL Gold Glove:

Pitcher: CJ Wilson - Angels
Catcher: Ji-Man Choi - Seattle
First Base: Xander Bogaerts - Royals
Second Base: Jurickson Profar - Rangers
Third Base: Mike Moustakas - Royals
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor - Indians
Left Field: Leon Landry - Mariners
Center Field: Mike Trout - Angels
Right Field: Hunter Pence - Red Sox

NL Gold Glove:

Pitcher: Brandon Beachy - Cubs
Catcher: Reese McGuire - Brewers
First Base: Ike Davis - Mets
Second Base: Chase Utley - Diamondbacks
Third Base: Enrique Hernandez - Braves
Shortstop: Andrelton Simmons - Braves
Left Field: Adam Eaton - Diamondbacks
Center Field: Lewis Brinson- Cardinals
Right Field: Jayson Heyward - Braves

Rookie of the Year (Jackie Robinson Trophy)

AL: 3B Kris Bryant - White Sox - .277; 44 HR; 117 RBI
NL: SS Bill McCauley - Rockies - .328; 11 HR; 65 RBI

Cy Young Award

AL: Felix Hernandez - Mariners - 20-7 3.30 ERA; 224 K's
NL: Stephen Strasburg - Nationals - 21-7; 2.66 ERA; 320 K's

MVP (Ted Williams Trophy)

AL: Eric Hosmer - Red Sox - .340; 30 HR; 107 RBI
NL: Matt Adams - Brewers - .339; 41 HR; 137 RBI

Manager of the Year:

AL: Eric Wedge - Seattle Mariners
NL: Mike Matheny - St Louis Cardinals

[AlpineSK]

December 1, 2016

Talks Break Down in Boston

The Red Sox have tried in vain to resign a few of their outstanding starters from last season, namely Zack Cozart and Jordan Walden. In both cases, the teams were too far apart from their players on money and time figures. Both players will become free agents next month.

The fallout in talks prompted the Red Sox to make a trade with the Detroit Tigers. The Sox sent Bud Norris, and minor league 2B Ryan Birk and MR Chris Martin to the Detroit Tigers for reliever Bruce Rondon. Rondon was recently signed to a one year deal worth $2.4M to avoid arbitration. Last season, he went 6-0 with a 2.56 ERA and 72 K's in 63 innings.

In other team news, Joba Chamberlain was inked to a 4 year extension after a career year where he posted a record of 10-1 with 8 saves.

[AlpineSK]

January 3, 2016

Record Breaking Contract Brings Strasburg to Boston

It is likely that Stephen Strasburg will finish his career with the Boston Red Sox one way or another. The Red Sox inked the much sought after pitcher to a record breaking 8 year $326 Million deal which includes a no-trade clause.

The former Washington Nationals star has won the NL Cy Young award 3 out of the last four years, and last season became the first pitcher since Rand Johnson in 2002 to strike out more than 300 batters when he posted 320 K's for the Nationals.

"He's got post season experience and he is by far the best pitcher in baseball today," an excited Scott Kier said of his new star pitcher.

The Red Sox gift shop started selling #39 jersey today, and sold out in 6 hours.

[Jabez54]

Did I read that right? ... 8 year $326 Million deal ... How big is your budget ? ...

[AlpineSK]

Originally Posted by Jabez54

Did I read that right? ... 8 year $326 Million deal ... How big is your budget ? ...

194M this year. I structured the deal in a way I could afford it based on the other long term deals I had already on the books. It was a bidding WAR between like 4 teams.

[AlpineSK]

I got creative with a lot of my extensions. I got Hosmer at 6M for 2 years before he jumps to 17 a year for example. Wilson's contract worries me a bit and I might try to prove him but I should be financially good for a while.

The big questions right now are Walker and Turner and finding a way to keep them both.

[AlpineSK]

April 3, 2017

Red Sox Offseason Review

2016 was supposed to be the Red Sox year again. Everyone expected them to repeat as World Series champions. When that did not happen, some glaring problems were brought to light. The Sox rotation, no matter how strong they thought they were, was weaker than expected, and it needed to be addressed.

It was no secret that the reason the team moved Josh Hamilton and his $30 Million contract they were intending to pick up a front line starter to add to their rotation. Nobody expected that starter to be as expensive as he was.

Stephen Strasburg was the belle of the ball in this year's free agent class that was arguably one of the best ones seen in recent years. Michael Pineda, Neftali Feliz, Joel Hanrahan, and Jason Heyward just to name a few were available. Feliz went to the Angels for $221 Million over 7 years. Josh Reddick signed with the Tigers for $167 Million over 6 years. Heyward went to San Diego for $192M over 5 years. No one expected the bidding war that would arise for Strasburg.

The Phillies, Tigers, Rockies, and finally the Red Sox all weighed in and traded back and forth with the numbers getting bigger and bigger. Strasburg finally decided to join the Red Sox for a record $326 Million over 8 years. And just like that, the Red Sox had the star pitcher they were looking for.

Trades

November 24, 2016

Red Sox Send:
SP Bud Norris
2B Ryne Birik
MR Chris Martin

Tigers Send:
MR Bruce Rondon

Notes: With the loss of Jordan Walden to Free Agency, GM Scott Kier saw the need to move some players for a top rated reliever. He succeeded in that.

Key Departures

SS Zack Cozart - New Team: Oakland Athletics
MR Jordan Walden - New Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
MR Joe Thatcher - New Team: San Diego Padres
OF Cameron Maybin - New Team: Cincinnati Reds
3B Kolbrin Vitek - New Team: New Orleans Bull Sharks (Expansion Draft Pick)

Currently Unsigned: C Carlos Ruiz, SP Justin Masterson, SP Yovani Gallardo, MR Jhan Marinez (offered Minor League Contract), OF Justin Ruggiano (Minor League Contract)

Notes: Although the loss of Walden was the most publicized one, the team's inability to resign SS Zack Cozart might be the biggest blow they took this off season. Cozart had an incredible season last year hitting .276 with 19 HR and 70 RBI while batting mostly from the bottom of the order. The Red Sox were going to lose big in arbitration to him, and they decided to spend their money elsewhere.

Key Additions

MR Bruce Rondon - Trade with Tigers
MR Boone Logan - Free Agent
MR Luke Gregerson - Free Agent
MR Soetsu Nishikawa - Foreign Free Agent
LF Josh Willingham - Free Agent
IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio - Free Agent
SS Alcides Escobar - Free Agent
C Lou Marson - Free Agent
SP Stephen Strasburg - Free Agent

Notes: Strasburg will cost the team their first round draft pick this season. Beyond him, there were no major names on the list of free agents that the team signed. Most of them will be expected to be role players. Willingham will play left against left handed pitching. Logan will be the team's new left handed stopper. Nishikawa will be their long reliever.

Extensions Signed

MR Joba Chamberlain - 4 years $20.8M
OF Ben Revere - 2 years $8.3M
MR Darren O'Day - 2 years $1.5M

Disabled List

Dustin Pedroia will be the only Red Sox player to start the year on the disabled list. The problem is, that is a pretty major blow as the team loses one of the bets #2 hitters in the league. Emilio Bonifacio will start the year at second for at least the first two months.

Top Earners

Here are the top 10 contracts held by Red Sox players for the 2017 season:

1. SP Stephen Strasburg - $40.5M
2. C Joe Mauer - $23.0M
3. SP Cole Hamels - $22.5M
4. SP Jon Lester - $13.0M
5. 2B Dustin Pedroia - $11.0M
6. OF Jackie Bradley Jr - $8.8M
7. OF Hunter Pence - $8.0M
8. 1B Freddie Freeman - $6.8M
9. CL Brian Wilson - $6.8M
10. 1B Eric Hosmer - $6.0M

[AlpineSK]

April 3, 2017

Red Sox Preview

Infield

C - Joe Mauer - Mauer will be the primary starter, however Lou Marson will see some time against left handed pitching.

1B - Freddie Freeman, Eric Hosmer - Hosmer and Freeman will split time between DH and 1B to help keep them fresh. Ruf will be the backup, and also see time in Left Field against left handed pitching.

2B - Emilio Bonifacio - With the injury to Dustin Pedroia, Bonifacio and his speed will start the season at second. Expect some "small ball" out of the bottom of the Sox lineup until Pedroia returns.

3B - Will Middlebrooks - After another quiet near-30 home run season, Middlebrooks returns at 3B.

SS - Alcides Escobar - Although he is a downgrade from Cozart, Escobar (who is the latest in the revolving door that is SS in Boston) will return to the majors after spending 2016 playing baseball in Taiwan. That's right: Escobar has not played in the United States since the 2015 campaign.

Outfield

LF - Ben Revere, Josh Willingham - The one major platoon for the Red Sox will be in Left. Although Revere hits left handed pitching well, Willingham adds a right handed bat to the lineup with a little pop who can break up the slew of lefties they have.

CF - Jackie Bradley Jr - The 4 tool outfielder is back in his all-too-familiar leadoff role. His numbers were a bit disappointing in 2016, and he will look to have a strong rebound in 2017.

RF - Hunter Pence - He is in the final year of his 4 year deal, and will be playing for an extension. .270/20/70 would definitely get him paid if he decides he wants to stay in Boston.

Bench Players

C - Lou Marson, 1B - Darin Ruf, IF Pedro Ciriaco.

Lineup vs RHP

1. Jackie Bradley Jr CF
2. Joe Mauer C
3. Eric Hosmer DH
4. Freddie Freeman 1B
5. Will Middlebrooks 3B
6. Hunter Pence RF
7. Ben Revere LF
8. Emilio Bonifacio 2B
9. Alcides Escobar SS

Lineup vs LHP

1. Jackie Bradley Jr CF
2. Joe Mauer C
3. Will Middlebrooks 3B
4. Eric Hosmer 1B
5. Hunter Pence RF
6. Freddie Freeman 1B
7. Josh Willingham LF
8. Emilio Bonifacio 2B
9. Alcides Escobar SS

Rotation

1. RHP Stephen Strasburg - The new ace has arrived, and he will be here for a while.
2. LHP Cole Hamels - Despite being hurt in 2016, Hamels put up a 14-4 record in 22 starts.
3. RHP Taijuan Walker - The youngster really came out of his shell in 2016, and he has been rewarded with the #3 spot in the rotation.
4. LHP Jon Lester - After a 4-8 start, Lester won 8 in a row to finish the season 12-8. It was an admirable rebound that he will hopefully through the 2017 season.
5. RHP Jacob Turner - Not many teams have a #5 starter as good as Turner. He is coming off of a 14-5 season where he put up a 3.60 ERA.

Bullpen

MR RHP Joba Chamberlain - The big guy comes back to try and repeat a 2016 season where he went 10-1 with 8 saves.
MR RHP Luke Gregerson - A seasoned closer with over 100 saves to his credit in the last four years, Gregerson will now take a step back into a middle relief role.
MR LHP Charlie Furbush - He struck out over 100 last season and will get middle relief time as their primary left handed reliever.
MR LHP Boone Logan - He was acquired for one reason and one reason alone: to get left handed hitters out.
LR LHP Soetsu Nishikawa - picking up a foreign free agent is always a risk, but the Sox got Nishikawa at a premium and will use him in a long relief role this year.
SU RHP Bruce Rondon - Other than Strasburg, this guy was the main acquisition for the Sox. He put up a great 2016 season with a career low WHIP (1.12) and career high in K's (72).
CL RHP Brian Wilson - The bearded one is back for another season in Boston. His 4.18 ERA in 2016 made many cringe and he is hoping to rebound from a 2016 where he struggled but still recorded 39 saves.

The Mike Frederick dilemma - With the team's rotation shaping up the way that it has, the decision has been made to move Frederick to the bullpen. He will start the year as Pawtucket's closer.

[AlpineSK]

April 4, 2017

Big Game as Red Sox Beat Yankees 4-3

It was a night of accomplishments for the Boston Red Sox on opening day in New York City. First, recently signed free agent Stephen Strasburg got what hopefully is the first of many wins in a Boston uniform.

The next personal achievement was for closer Brian Wilson who recorded the 300th save of his career. Wilson is 35 years old and is in his 5th season with the Red Sox. Prior to that, he missed most of the 2012 season after having Tommy John surgery. That injury had ended his career as a San Francisco Giant.

Finally, the player of the game, Eric Hosmer had quite a night. Hitting from the #3 hole, Hosmer hit 2 HR's in his first two at bats, and knocked in another run later in the game. Hosmer finished 3-3 with 2 runs scored, 2 HR's and 4 RBIs.

[AlpineSK]

May 1, 2017

Very Different April for Red Sox

Most of the time, when challenged with their play in April Red Sox supporters and staff would say, "Just wait. Just wait until we get to May, wait for the Summer months to get here, and watch the tear we go on." Well, with April of 2017 now behind us, we have seen a significantly different Red Sox team.

Over the last couple of years, the Red Sox have put up middle of the road records in the first month of the year: 13-12, 12-12, 14-1. . . This year, however, they have performed admirably posting an 18-9 record which has given them a 3 game lead in the AL East. This also included a 7-1 star through their first 8 games.

Major adjustments have been made to the team's approach to games. With players like Emilio Bonifacio and Alcides Escobar joining Ben Revere and Jackie Bradley Jr, the team has been running a lot more. With these players stacked in the lineups, double steals and hit and runs have been far more common.

Stephen Strasburg set a team record with 15 strikeouts against the Blue Jays on August 29th. Eric Hosmer captured a player of the week award, and later in the month the AL Hitter of the Month award for April.

It should also be noted that there are two teams in the infancy of their Major League existence. The New Orleans Bull Sharks currently sit in a 3 way tie for 4th in the AL Central with a record of 13-14. Jarred Cosart one of their starters leads the AL in ERA at 1.44. The Charleston Arsenal are not doing quite as well and have posted a 10-17 record in the NL East.

Red Sox Statistics

LINEUP

1. Jackie Bradley Jr CF - .333; 3 HR; 19 RBI; 8 SB
2. Joe Mauer C - .261; 2 HR; 16 RBI
3. Eric Hosmer DH - .306; 9 HR; 26 RBI
4. Freddie Freeman 1B - .339; 3 HR; 18 RBI
5. Will Middlebrooks 3B - .227; 6 HR; 15 RBI
6. Hunter Pence RF - .280; 3 HR; 12 RBI
7. Ben Revere LF - .254; 0 HR; 5 RBI; 8 SB
8. Emilio Bonifacio 2B - .211; 0 HR; 10 RBI; 9 SB
9. Alcides Escobar SS - .267; 1 HR; 6 RBI; 5 SB

BENCH

C Lou Marson - .500; 0 HR; 3 RBI in 5 Games
1B Darin Ruf - .375; 0 HR; 1 RBI in 3 Games
IF Pedro Ciriaco - .262; 0 HR; 5 RBI in 15 Games
OF Josh Willingham - .269; 0 HR; 2 RBI in 12 Games

ROTATION

1. Stephen Strasburg - 3-0; 1.85; 55 K
2. Cole Hamels - 4-2; 3.98; 33 K; 1 CG
3. Taijuan Walker - 2-1; 4.80; 28 K's
4. Jon Lester - 3-2; 2.91; 33 K's
5. Jacob Turner - 3-1; 1.78; 36 K's

BULLPEN

MR Joba Chamberlain - 0-0; 4.05; 2 SV; 15 K in 12 Games
MR Luke Gregerson - 1-1; 8.38; 0 SV; 11 K in 8 Games
MR Charlie Furbush - 0-1; 2.84; 1 SV; 10 K in 9 Games
MR Boone Logan - 0-1; 4.91; 0 SV; 7 K in 8 Games, 3.2 Innings
MR Soetsu Nishikawa - 1-0; 4.91; 0 SV; 5 K in 5 Games
SU Bruce Rondon - 0-0; 4.22; 5 SV; 16 K in 13 Games
CL Brian Wilson - 1-0; 4.91; 4 SV; 18 K in 10 Games

DISABLED LIST

2B Dustin Pedroia - Has not played this year. Back in 3-4 Weeks

RED SOX LEAGUE LEADERS

HR - Eric Hosmer 9
RBI - Eric Hosmer 26
Runs - Jackie Bradley Jr 25
K's - Stephen Strasburg 55

[AlpineSK]

May 3, 2017

Beane Visits Chicago

Head scout Billy Beane paid a visit on behalf of Scott Kier to Chicago today to take a look at a few players, primarily a few young Cubs players. With the Red Sox facing potentially major financial issues over the next couple of years with large contracts limiting their ability to sign free agents, Kier is looking to add a few younger players to act as "stop gaps" until some of his minor league pieces are ready for the Bigs. Enter: Jorge Soler.

Soler is 25. He is a solid right handed hitter with a strong arm from right field who is a bit strikeout prone, but can still produce. The best part? Soler's contract. The young 25 year old is signed through 2020 at $3 Million this season, and $4 Million for the remainder of his contract. The Red Sox would also potentially seek a starting pitcher in the deal because Jacob Turner is rumored to be the centerpiece of the Sox side of the deal.

Prior to being arbitration eligible, Kier signed Turner to an excellent 3 year, $8.25 Million contract. That contract expires this year, and the Red Sox will have to pay for Turner to keep him. The problem is, they will have to pay with money that they do not currently have. Compound that with the potential of Taijuan Walker to be arbitration eligible this year, and the Sox have a decision to make: Walker or Turner?

[AlpineSK]

Okay.. I have a MAJOR dilemma....

In screwing around on trades with the Cubs, I've got the following deal on the table:

Sox Send:

RF Hunter Pence - $8M contract expires this year
SS Alcides Escobar - 1 star shortstop makes about $1M this year
MR Charlie Furbush - 3 years left on his contract, someone I am actively shopping
SP Taijuan Walker - Last year of minimum contract, increasing after that either w resign or arbitration
SP Henry Owens - Minor leaguer who will not make the bigs for me

Cubs Send:

RF Jorge Soler - See above for his stuff.. He's a potential 30 HR guy..
SS Javier Baez - 24 years old. Minimum contract. Fast. Shortstop. Not yet arb eligible and 4 star rating.
SP Duane Underwood - 24. Minimum contract. Young. #5 starter at best this year with an upside as a reliever.

I would cut almost $7M from my budget this year, I'd get rid of Furbush, and I feel like I can sign Turner much easier than Walker to a reasonable contract for a length of time. Baez gives me a SOLID fast cheap shortstop. Soler would be sufficient for a long time. If I substitute Turner for Walker, they want Espinosa, my top prospect. He's 18 with a TREMENDOUS upside down the road, but he is 4 years away from the bigs I'd say.

Espinosa could also be substituted for Walker in the deal, so I could keep Walker, remove Underwood and the deal would look like this:

Sox Send:

RF Hunter Pence
SS Alcides Escobar
MR Charlie Furbush
SP Hector Espinosa - #11 Spec in the majors.. 9/8/7 potentials with "LOW" work ethic.
SP Howard Sterling - Sterling is an "okay" pitching prospect. A starter.

Cubs Send:

RF Jorge Soler
SS Javier Baez
C Chris Singleton - Catcher. 23. Prospect with 9 potential power. #26 rated prospect in the majors.

I get younger.. I free up cap room.. My trigger finger is itchy, but the safety is on. What does everyone think? First deal? 2nd deal? No deal?

[CatKnight]

No guts, no glory.

Of the two, I'd lean towards #1, but both are worth trying for.

[LondonYankee]

Alpine - this is a good read, well done so far in your dynasty.
I'm very new to this game and this has been inspirational in helping me see what I can do!
One question if I may, the league expansion, is that a 'natural' event or something you have edited in?

[mpejkrm]

Originally Posted by LondonYankee

Alpine - this is a good read, well done so far in your dynasty.
I'm very new to this game and this has been inspirational in helping me see what I can do!
One question if I may, the league expansion, is that a 'natural' event or something you have edited in?

You can turn it on in the options. Personally I have it off, but he must have turned it on. OR he could have done it manually. I'm not sure

As for the trade, I'd lean towards #1 but they're pretty even

[Jabez54]

Wow ...

They both look good ... I wouldn't want to have your dilemma ... the question is what do you really want for the future of the club ... cut cost or get younger ... of the two, I would also, elected #1, as far as the edge ... either way, you still in a win-win situation, mate ...

[AlpineSK]

Originally Posted by LondonYankee

Alpine - this is a good read, well done so far in your dynasty.
I'm very new to this game and this has been inspirational in helping me see what I can do!
One question if I may, the league expansion, is that a 'natural' event or something you have edited in?

Hey thanks for the compliment. It's an option I have turned off. I decided on the expansion on my own.

[AlpineSK]

May 11, 2017

Kier Closes Deal with Cubs

With each year that passes, Red Sox GM Scott Kier seems to make at least one major deal during the regular season. He's acquired Eric Hosmer, Cole Hamels, and Joe Mauer to name just a few through big trades, and 2017 is no exception now.

Following a scouting trip by Billy Beane, Kier entered week long discussions with the Cubs who were reportedly hot after young highly respected prospect Hector Espinosa. The Sox see Espinosa as a big investment and were leery to deal him, and when it came down to signing on the dotted line, Espinosa was not involved in the deal.

The Red Sox sent RF Hunter Pence, SP Taijuan Walker, SS Alcides Escobar, MR Charlie Furbush, and prospect SP Howard Sterling to the Chicago Cubs. In return the Red Sox strengthen their Major League roster getting 25 year old RF Jorge Soler, 24 year old SS Javier Baez, and 22 year old pitcher Duane Underwood along with 23 year old catching prospect Chris Singleton.

The jaw dropping deal was centered around Taijuan Walker who has the "stuff" and ability to become a franchise leading starting pitcher. With him becoming arbitration eligible this offseason, however, makes keeping him financially difficult for the Red Sox. Walker is 2-2 this season but has recorded a 30-15 record over the past two years and was just shy of 200 strikeouts last season. This season, Walker is 2-2 with a 5.44 ERA in 7 starts.

Walker was acquired by the Red Sox in another blockbuster trade made by Kier back in 2014. Interestingly enough, he was acquired along with Charlie Furbush in the deal that brought Cole Hamels to the Red Sox from Seattle.

Reliever Charlie Furbush was reportedly included in the deal for "financial reasons." While Furbush is still a solid left handed reliever, he was signed through the 2019 season and was scheduled to make $2.75M next year.

In order to make room for Baez at shortstop, the Red Sox had to park with Alcides Escobar. The 30 year old was signed after spending the 2016 season in Taiwan. He performed well in his return to the majors however was a strikeout risk having struck out 20 times in 27 games as compared to just 2 walks.

Playing for an extension on his contract, Hunter Pence was having a good year for the Red Sox. He was signed in 2014 to a 4 year deal and led the team with a .298 average in 2015. Pence is 34 and still has a few good years left in the Majors.

Finally, the Cubs wanted another prospect. After tough negotiations, Kier and the Red Sox included Howard Sterling, a 20 year old starting pitcher who went 7-3 last season in Fort Myers. Sterling is ranked 38th by Baseball Today in their "top prospect" list.

For the Red Sox, this deal means the team not only gets younger but they also get better and cheaper. Jorge Soler was the first piece of this trade that Kier ask for. Soler has 30 HR potential and has a great arm from RF. He is locked into a contract until 2020, and will make $4M a year for the final 3 years of the deal.

Another shortstop arrives in Boston, this time in the form of 24 year old Javier Baez. He's fast, he's got some pop in his bat, and if pressed for it, he can play second base as well. The right handed bat does a great job hitting against left handed pitching and could find himself at the top of the order against lefties much like Cameron Maybin did last year. His position in the order against righties could be a major question though. While he could find himself at the top of the lineup initially, the return of Dustin Pedroia could push him down in the full Red Sox lineup.

With the departure of Taijuan Walker, the need arose for a #5 starter, and Kier did his best to get one included. Duane Underwood is a 22 year old rookie who started the year in the bullpen for the Cubs but he has been a starter throughout his years in the minors. Barring some other trade, Underwood should fill the #5 starter role. The Sox have also made minor league contract offers to two familiar faces: Justin Masterson and Yovani Gallardo.

The final piece of this trade was the Cubs' top prospect. Chris Singleton was the Cubs' first round draft pick in 2013 and at one point was the #1 rated prospect in the Majors. He is a solid catcher with good tools who can flat out hit. He is now 23, and might be a year away from being a Major League player. Joe Mauer is signed through the 2018 season and Singleton could conceivably transition into the starting role in 2019.

The Cubs are currently in 3rd place in the NL Central with a record of 18-18. The Red Sox are tied for first with the Rays with identical records of 22-14.