With the return of Theo Epstein all but formalized, the Red Sox now appear on the verge of concluding a heretofore tumultuous offseason by acquiring both center fielder Coco Crisp and shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

 

And not a moment too soon.

 

According to baseball sources, the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have agreed in principle on a deal that will bring outfielder Crisp to the Sox in a multi-player trade. The deal was agreed upon several days ago under the condition that Cleveland be able to acquire another outfielder to replace Crisp, presumably Jason Michaels from the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

There was some indication that the Phillies and Indians were hoping to complete the deal for Michaels as soon as last night. Cleveland was believed to be sending one of two relievers - left-hander Arthur Rhodes or right-hander Rafael Betancourt - to the Phillies in exchange for Michaels.

 

In the event of a breakdown in talks between the Phillies and Indians, Cleveland was believed to have serious interest in free agent outfielder Jeff DaVanon as a replacement for Crisp.

 

The Red Sox will send a package including reliever Guillermo Mota and prospect Andy Marte to the Indians. The inclusion of Mota in the deal explains why the Sox signed free agent reliever Julian Tavarez to a two-year contract despite having a bullpen that already included Keith Foulke, Mike Timlin, Mota, Rudy Seanez and, perhaps, Jonathan Papelbon.

 

Marte was acquired by the Sox earlier this offseason in the deal that sent Edgar Renteria to the Atlanta Braves. At the time, one Sox official described Marte as a ?bargaining chip,? an asset the club now has to implement given the departure of center fielder Johnny Damon.

 

Beyond the acquisition of Crisp, the Sox also are about to sign free agent Gonzalez. The 28-year-old former Florida Marlins shortstop, is a free-swinging, career .264 hitter with little power, but he is regarded as a very good defensive player. He will likely bat ninth in a revamped Sox lineup that should feature much-improved infield defense.

 

With Gonzalez on the club, the Sox will return Alex Cora to his role as a utility man. The move all but seemingly eliminates Tony Graffanino from the club?s plans and ensures that prospect Dustin Pedroia will likely open the year at Triple A.

 

In the 26-year-old Crisp, the Sox will have a switch-hitter who possesses an array of talents. Though Crisp has played left field for the Indians - Cleveland has the blossoming Grady Sizemore in center - he played center field during his minor league career. In slightly more than two full major league seasons, Crisp has 35 career home runs and 54 career steals. Last season, he batted .300 with 16 home runs, 15 steals, a .345 on-base percentage and .465 slugging percentage.

 

Just as important from the perspective of Sox officials, Crisp is not eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season. That made Crisp infinitely more appealing than Tampa Bay Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo, who is eligible for free agency after the 2006 campaign.

 

Prior to intensifying talks with Cleveland, the Sox also had serious discussions with the Devil Rays about Lugo. Sox officials came to the realization during the process that either Lugo or Crisp would cost them a package including Marte. One of the primary reasons they opted for Crisp is because they can control his services for a longer period of time.

 

While Crisp batted second (behind Sizemore) for the majority of time last season, he will replace Damon atop the Red Sox batting order. Crisp has a .271 average as a leadoff hitter over the last three seasons, but he is just now reaching the prime years of his career. With him in tow, the Sox would likely have an Opening Day lineup that looks like the following:

 

Crisp, cf; Mark Loretta, 2b; David Ortiz, dh; Manny Ramirez, lf; Jason Varitek, c; Trot Nixon, rf; Mike Lowell, 3b; Kevin Youkilis, 1b; Gonzalez, ss.

 

For the Sox as a whole, the deals for Crisp and Gonzalez, as well as the role for the returning Epstein, all are expected to be announced within the coming days. The moves will fill the remaining major holes in the club and essentially will conclude what has been a winter of change and upheaval.

 

Lest anyone forget, the start of spring training is just three weeks away.

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view...417&format=text

The redsox left side infield is gonna look familiar...

I still can't believe the Sox got Loretta for nothing...that was huge.

That didn't take long.

The Bass!

 

Marlins North :lol

well watching the sox play this year while i finish my last semester of school up there will be more fun..

So doesn't this mean that the Red Sox have more 2005 Marlins players than the Marlins?

 

No they're tied now, because they are trading Mota.

 

3 to 3...

 

The Mets probably have more Marlins than we do.

So doesn't this mean that the Red Sox have more 2005 Marlins players than the Marlins?

If you count Opening Day, six still remain:

 

Cabrera, Willis, Treanor, Harris, Bump, Aguila

 

The Mets only have Delgado and Lo Duca I think, so the Red Sox trump them.

So doesn't this mean that the Red Sox have more 2005 Marlins players than the Marlins?

If you count Opening Day, six still remain:

 

Cabrera, Willis, Treanor, Harris, Bump, Aguila

 

The Mets only have Delgado and Lo Duca I think, so the Red Sox trump them.

Well that puts things into perspective....

 

I miss Luis :confused

Coco Crisp for Andy Marte and Mota?

then replacing Crisp with Jason Michaels

 

Great deal for the Indians, Shapiro's the man.

 

 

 

for the red sox:

 

Crisp for Renteria + Mota + $10 million

 

Crisp is a nice player, but he isn't worth that. Serves them right for getting Loretta for next to nothing.

Wow, so Renteria and $11 million for Crisp and Gonzalez.

 

Doesn't look so good, at least to me. Marte is one of the three or four best infield prospects at any level...

Awful offensive left side of the infield. Possibly worst in the majors.

Awful offensive left side of the infield. Possibly worst in the majors.

 

 

havent seen one that bad in a while

And the Indians are going to have a left side of Jhonny Peralta and Andy Marte.

 

Good gawd.

Crisp is going to be controlled through 2009. He is entering the prime of his career and he has superior speed and a superior arm to Damon. Crisp fills a position of great need for the Red Sox and he's a proven talent. Crisp's projections for next year by several different sources were fantastic in Jacobs Field, a pitcher's park, they will only look better in Fenway.

 

Also, its extremely premature to judge this trade considering the Sox will get additional players in return, and those are not known at this time.

 

I like Marte as much as the next guy, but even in this day in age with computers, advance scouting, and tonso f resources to judge prospects...is their any guarantee this guy is going to be a sure thing? There were reports of him having shoulder trouble (put as much into those as you want), plus his power numbers in Winter Ball were not very good (again, put as much into that as you want). I think the FO was concerned about the shoulder and were more comfortable trading Marte now then trading one of the young arms (Paplebon, Lester, Hansen).

 

To judge trades based on the cumulative result of them is not a good way of grading a deal. Renteria wasn't going to excel here...even though he probably will have a much better year in Atlanta this season (spotlight shines alot less in Atlanta, back in the NL, not as many expectations). In dealing him they shed weight, got younger, and got a huge barganing chip.

 

I think the Red Sox have had a very good off-season. They traded 3 pitching prospects (only one that I can see having an impact in the bigs), one highly rated infield prospect, and Edgar Renteria for an ace in Josh Beckett, a .825-.850 OPS CF in Crisp, have one of the best defensive infields in all of baseball (replacing a pitiful one in '05), improvements at 1st and 2nd, and one of the deepest bullpens in the majors.

 

They also got younger and less expensive in the long run.

 

If trading Marte means not going to the season opener with Adam Stern and Alex Cora in the lineup...I'm all for it.

I really like this deal.

 

I can't wait to see Marte play.

According to the Boston Red Sox website, Alex Gonzalez will sign a two year contract with Boston.

 

Also, Coco Crisp will go to Boston in a deal that will send Guillermo Mota and Andy Marte to the Indians.

marte = next bagwell

I like these moves for the Red Sox, only if Alex is signed for no more than two years.

Crisp is going to be controlled through 2009. He is entering the prime of his career and he has superior speed and a superior arm to Damon. Crisp fills a position of great need for the Red Sox and he's a proven talent. Crisp's projections for next year by several different sources were fantastic in Jacobs Field, a pitcher's park, they will only look better in Fenway.

 

Also, its extremely premature to judge this trade considering the Sox will get additional players in return, and those are not known at this time.

 

I like Marte as much as the next guy, but even in this day in age with computers, advance scouting, and tonso f resources to judge prospects...is their any guarantee this guy is going to be a sure thing? There were reports of him having shoulder trouble (put as much into those as you want), plus his power numbers in Winter Ball were not very good (again, put as much into that as you want). I think the FO was concerned about the shoulder and were more comfortable trading Marte now then trading one of the young arms (Paplebon, Lester, Hansen).

 

To judge trades based on the cumulative result of them is not a good way of grading a deal. Renteria wasn't going to excel here...even though he probably will have a much better year in Atlanta this season (spotlight shines alot less in Atlanta, back in the NL, not as many expectations). In dealing him they shed weight, got younger, and got a huge barganing chip.

 

I think the Red Sox have had a very good off-season. They traded 3 pitching prospects (only one that I can see having an impact in the bigs), one highly rated infield prospect, and Edgar Renteria for an ace in Josh Beckett, a .825-.850 OPS CF in Crisp, have one of the best defensive infields in all of baseball (replacing a pitiful one in '05), improvements at 1st and 2nd, and one of the deepest bullpens in the majors.

 

They also got younger and less expensive in the long run.

 

If trading Marte means not going to the season opener with Adam Stern and Alex Cora in the lineup...I'm all for it.

 

 

I'm not neccessarily disagreeing with anything you've said. But as you said with Edgar Renteria and playing better out of the spotlight...we'll have to see how Coco Crisp plays now that people will care about him for reasons other than his name sounding like a cereal.

 

I think he'll be fine, but you never know until he does it.

 

And this deal isn't done yet, we've seen plenty of these things fall apart this off-season. The one part I don't understand is how this is contigent on the Indians getting an OF and the 2 guys are Jason Michaels and Jeff DaVanon. Michaels I understand, but DaVanon sucks.

Good luck to Seabass.

 

I never in a million years thought I would see the Mike Lowell and Seabass on the left side of the Sox infield

Forgot about Moehler, I guess since he had that small FA period. So that's seven.

 

I bet Lenny comes back regardless.

Crisp is going to be controlled through 2009. He is entering the prime of his career and he has superior speed and a superior arm to Damon. Crisp fills a position of great need for the Red Sox and he's a proven talent. Crisp's projections for next year by several different sources were fantastic in Jacobs Field, a pitcher's park, they will only look better in Fenway.

 

Also, its extremely premature to judge this trade considering the Sox will get additional players in return, and those are not known at this time.

 

I like Marte as much as the next guy, but even in this day in age with computers, advance scouting, and tonso f resources to judge prospects...is their any guarantee this guy is going to be a sure thing? There were reports of him having shoulder trouble (put as much into those as you want), plus his power numbers in Winter Ball were not very good (again, put as much into that as you want). I think the FO was concerned about the shoulder and were more comfortable trading Marte now then trading one of the young arms (Paplebon, Lester, Hansen).

 

To judge trades based on the cumulative result of them is not a good way of grading a deal. Renteria wasn't going to excel here...even though he probably will have a much better year in Atlanta this season (spotlight shines alot less in Atlanta, back in the NL, not as many expectations). In dealing him they shed weight, got younger, and got a huge barganing chip.

 

I think the Red Sox have had a very good off-season. They traded 3 pitching prospects (only one that I can see having an impact in the bigs), one highly rated infield prospect, and Edgar Renteria for an ace in Josh Beckett, a .825-.850 OPS CF in Crisp, have one of the best defensive infields in all of baseball (replacing a pitiful one in '05), improvements at 1st and 2nd, and one of the deepest bullpens in the majors.

 

They also got younger and less expensive in the long run.

 

If trading Marte means not going to the season opener with Adam Stern and Alex Cora in the lineup...I'm all for it.

 

 

Not disagreeing as much as I am looking at it in a different way.

 

What good are Lester/Papelbon if Beckett, Clement, Schilling, Arroyo and Wakefield are contractually placed in the rotation for at least 2006 and 2007? I just think the Red Sox foolishly dealt out of desperation and disregarded common sense by not dealing from a position of strength. Then again, I am exceptionally high on Marte and thought that him and the green monster would have been lethal.

Wow the Boston Marlins keep on mounting. I guess I will be wearing Marlins gear to the Bosox games this season

So doesn't this mean that the Red Sox have more 2005 Marlins players than the Marlins?

If you count Opening Day, six still remain:

 

Cabrera, Willis, Treanor, Harris, Bump, Aguila

 

The Mets only have Delgado and Lo Duca I think, so the Red Sox trump them.

Well I was only thinking of Moehler, Willis, and Cabrera.

 

I guess Treanor will be back since the front office doesn't appear to have much faith in Willy as a catcher.

 

Lenny may not be back because he was signed only to a minor league deal and he was Jack's boy.

 

I don't know what is going on with Bump. Haven't heard much.

 

I suppose Aguila will be back because there aren't many outfield options.

well wily is probably starting in left field...thus you probably need a backup catcher, and treanor didnt do THAT bad last year.