TODAY: Boston will pay around $1MM of De Aza’s remaining salary, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal report on Twitter. That’s no small amount, of course, but it does mean that Baltimore retains most of the financial burden going forward.
YESTERDAY: The Red Sox on Wednesday bolstered their outfield depth by acquiring an experienced corner option from the Orioles in the form of Alejandro De Aza, Baltimore announced. The O’s will send cash considerations to the Sox along with De Aza in exchange for Double-A right-hander Joe Gunkel. In order to accommodate De Aza on their 40-man roster, the Red Sox have transferred righty Brandon Workman to the 60-day DL, the club announced.
De Aza, added by the O’s at last year’s trade deadline, is owed $5MM this season, of which about $3.39MM remains. He’s a somewhat curious add for a Red Sox club that is already flush with outfield options and recently picked up fellow lefty-swinging corner outfielder Carlos Peguero in a trade with the Rangers. Boston also has Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Rusney Castillo on the roster as its starting trio in the outfield, with veterans Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino on the DL. (One would think that Peguero’s spot could eventually be in jeopardy when one of those veterans is nearing a return.)
The 31-year-old De Aza owns a meager .214/.277/.359 triple-slash in his 112 plate appearances thus far. But his track record is better; over the 2012-14 seasons, De Aza owns an exactly-league-average 100 OPS+ (and, if you prefer, a 100 wRC+). With average offensive production and strong defense, that has made him a solidly regular in the corner outfield.
As I noted when he was designated, the Orioles had ample reason to strike a deal to save what money they could. With more than five years of service, De Aza would have been eligible to reject an outright assignment (assuming he cleared waivers) and thereby become a free agent without sacrificing his rather significant guaranteed salary.
Gunkel is a 23-year-old who was pitching at Double-A in the Boston organization. He rated as Boston’s 26th-best prospect entering the year, per Baseball America, which says that he profiles as a reliever in the long run. Over 18 1/3 innings this year, he’s allowed eight earned runs with 22 strikeouts against eight walks.
That seems like a decent get for the O’s, though we’ll need to learn how much money has changed hands before really evaluating the deal.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the trade (on Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Can he pitch?
I logged in to say the same thing – you beat me to it!
Right, cause that’s the problem right now. If you minimally follow the Red Sox, you would know their offense is a monumental disappointment in every facet. The pitching is improving, Eduardo Rodriguez had a fantastic rookie debut, and Buchholz looks outstanding.
You can’t blame people for poking a little fun at this, because to say the pitching isn’t the problem is a pretty tough point to make,it’s a dual problem. Buchholz has been better, but he’s the very definition of inconsistency, he’s a real roller coaster ride, and E-Rod hasn’t been up long enough to throw a party over just yet. The offense has absolutely been a piece of the puzzle, but adding a guy like De Aza isn’t going to be the solution(he’s depth for them, which is fine), that’s going to come internally from the pieces they already have in place stepping it up if it’s going to come at all.
How tough a point is it to make when your team ERA in May was 4.12(below average but not by a huge margin) and your team batting average was .237 and you were last in the majors in scoring with 82 runs. Which is worse the pitching or the hitting? The joke is not only old. It’s inaccurate.
I’m not saying it’s not a tired point because it is relatively and I’m not even a BOS fan, I’m just saying you can’t blame people for making a little bit of a punchline out of it, and that to imply the pitching (as a whole) isn’t a problem is the hard point to make. The hitting is certainly the more problematic, but it’s also the most likely to sort itself out without moves being made, while the pitching is almost certainly going to require moves to fix, hence the jokes continue.
Bucholz seems to have righted his own ship. He’s gone 7 IP or more his last 3 starts and given up no more than 2 runs in any of them. Going back further? His last 8 he’s gone 6IP or more and only given up more than 3 in 2.
Think with Bucholz, Miley, who has given up more than 3 runs in his last 6 starts and Porcello to go along with Rodriquez that they should be fine in a mediocre AL East.. As long as the bats come to life, which was the key all along and hasn’t happened yet with Ortiz, Ramirez, Sandoval doing little to nothing, as well as Napoli until last week.
The offense has been relying on Pedroia, Betts and Bogaerts, which cannot continue alone.
You’re taking this too seriously.
Taking it too seriously, and not “talking baseball”.
Red Sox are struggling in most aspects of the game, and with the extensive coverage they get here and elsewhere, skeptical remarks are to be expected.
Their pitching is not what was pumped up at us in the offseason.
I can blame people, because it’s a tired, lazy, narrative. If anything, their offense should be poked fun at. They were supposed to be near the top of the league with Hanley and Panda added to the lineup and it’s been a disaster. The pitching has been very close to what many had predicted, but showing signs of improving.
Pitching is still a problem for them though. You’re right on Buchholz but please hold off on E-Rod before you become Peter Gammons and make his HOF Plaque
I agree that their hitting has been a disaster though and its more concerning than their pitching, but their pitching still needs improvement too
When did I say E-Rod is HOF bound? I stated exactly what happened. He had an excellent debut, which is a sign of optimism and the staff as a whole is trending in the right direction. There is no point in improving the pitching if the offense busts all season. Acquiring pitching is pointless if their bottom-of-the league offense doesn’t come around.
It’s called sarcasm, or exaggeration.
Those aren’t the same, and you exaggerated my words, not your own lol
Fair enough, I guess more so exaggeration. Saying Peter Gammons is putting up the E-Rod hall of fame plaque is exaggerating. Point still remains, this is only one start so let’s relax. There was a Red Sox fan on another post who called him an ace in the making because of his last start.
Am I saying it Won’t happen? Absolutely not. But it’s premature to say it. And I”m not saying You said it
And as I (and you) pointed out, it’s their hitting that is the problem right now.
First off we finished his Plaque weeks ago! I watch every game and it really hasnt been the pitching in weeks.. If the offense was half as good as it should be they would be in a much better postion
I know the offense is lacking…there was a reason the Orioles DFA’d him. Look at his stats. The Sox don’t need another outfielder who can’t hit. We have Craig and JBJ in Pawtucket now.
It doesn’t say what the salary relief was and my guess is most of his 5m, or remaining portion for 2015.
Cost wasn’t much, being Joe Gunkel, someone who is slated as a future middle reliever and struggles vs LH batters anyway, tops out FB wise around 90-91 and throws a decent slider for you Oriole fans that hadn’t found anything on him yet.
Clay Buchholz has been inconsistent since last season. One good start against the Twins and all the sudden he’s outstanding? Eduardo Rodriguez, however.. I got hopes for him
This year? In this rotation? Yes. He has a 2.94 FIP, 4/1 K/BB ratio, and take away the outlier disaster start in NY his ERA is 2.47. He’s been their Ace
Lol
I think a better question is whether or not can he do anything productive at all on a baseball diamond.
Another strange Red Sox move, cornering the market on washed up OF, VIctorino, De Aza. I look forward to the other comments on this move.
He’s going to DF (Designated Fielder) for Ramirez in left.
funny. never heard that one before…
Fingers crossed it was for Eduardo Rodriguez, but I’m guessing not.
How was having Miller for few months?
It was one of the best feelings of security knowing it was going to be a short half inning.
He was awesome. Who knows if the Orioles beat the Royals with Manny and Davis but 4-0 would not have happened. Is what it is. No effort to retain the guy when he said he would of stayed for a little less is disappointing thanks to the fact EROD was traded. Orioles should have retained, Cruz, Markakis and Miller or made an effort to get near equal talent. Cheap owner who is a billionaire and does not spend enough of the Orioles profit on the team.
EROD is a worker and a heck of a nice guy. I dont know why the separation with De Aza. I know the 205 avg was a let down but his career #’s suggest he is not a 205 avg hitter. Im guessing they knew they had potential trade partners therefore put him on the wire versus Lough or Snider.
Thank you for Miller
– Yankee fans
Miller is a beast. His run since last August is one of the best bullpen runs in the history of the MLB. His ERA is outstanding. His K/BB ratio even better. I know its about the money but this guy enjoys the game.
him and Betances have made a scary 8-9 combo. They have really made up for the shortcomings of the other MRP in this bullpen (though things are slowly turning around with those guys too). Its a wacky division, certainly anyone’s to win
I still think that was a poor trade on Baltimore’s end. Unless they were confident they’d re-sign Miller, why trade a Top 50-75 prospect for 2 months of a reliever whom you can’t even offer a QO to at the end of the season? Baltimore ran away with that division. Miller was not a difference maker between ALE title/No ALE title. I’m not saying he didn’t help the Orioles by the way
I wonder if Baltimore offered E-Rod or if Boston asked for him.
Boston asked for EROD. Several teams where in on Miller. I agree they could of kept Miller.
Thank you for keeping Sabathia in the rotation.
– AL East fans
4.04 FIP, hasn’t been great, but certainly hasn’t pitched as bad as his ERA would tell you.
Thanks for signing Ubaldo for 4 years
-AL East fans
You’re welcome. He’s killing it this year. Its like he just decided to stop walking people.
True, but he’s had good half seasons before. This guy has not had a good Full season since 2010. Would like to see more of him first. No doubt his BB is down.
I am a Yankee FAn and THIS^^^ is Funny, and Unfortunately TRUE!! ha…Thank you for the laugh
Thanks for the 2013 WS, more on the way soon!!!!
It was sweet, like warm apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream.
All. The. Outfielders.
The exact thing the Red Sox need, another outfielder.
Is this the O’s way of grabbing the rule 5 pick, Garcia for DeAza? If so, they can finally put him down in the minors.
Now that would be the first groovy idea that Duquette has had since the end of the 2014 baseball season.
I believe Garcia would first have to pass through waivers before the O’s can arrange a trade for him with his original team. Anyone who claimed him off the waiver wire would have to keep him on the 25man just as the O’s did.
Oh okay. Thank you. I didn’t know the process for sure, but I thought they could offer a trade to prevent the waiver process. Rule 5 is clear as mud.
I don’t think so. I’m fairly certain that a team can contact the original owner of a rule 5 player and negotiate a deal that would allow him to stay with the new team and be optioned to the minors.
I doubt it. de Aza is next to useless, while Garcia will have a use once he gets some experience above A ball.
The confusion continues.
So now the Red Sox have 8 sub-par outfielders!
Agreed , They need pitchers who can more than 2 outs in a row,and they pick up an outfielder that a Bum.
Thanks. When they have three that can HIT, let me know!
Why bother have Daniel Nava now?
He needs to be RELEASED!
When all else fails, add OF depth I guess
Doesn’t De Aza add to the Red Sox problem? I’m an oriole fan, so whatever. Enjoy.
“average defensive ratings and strong defense”……?
I’m not sure I understand this move, but whatever. Not really a big deal.
Maybe he can be the defensive replacement for Hanley in late innings instead of wasting holy there
Incredibly, De Aza’s awful fielding would indeed be an upgrade. That’s scary.
Still better than Hanley who if you saw the game let a routine base hit by by him
Go by him omg stupid auto correct
Where do you get that De Aza is awful in field? I always associated him with the mostly-glove-sometimes-gets-hot-with-bat crew.
Holt*
Victorino and Nava need to go. Then you have an outfield of Bradley De Aza and Holt for backups
I wonder if a trade is brewing between the Mets and Red Sox. Six man rotation and a glut of OFers…I don’t know what names would be involved (JBJ? Craig? Niese? Gee? Even Granderson? ), but something seems to be brewing. Of course, maybe that’s just my anticipation for the Mets fan in me desperately seeking a move.
Mets don’t need any of the Red Sox extra OF. They already have two highly paid ones and the best defensive CF in the game. No way they’re sticking a guy like De Aza or Nava, or even Bradley, in the lineup.
Yeah you’re probably right, but they could still use a lot of help in the bench. Plus, of all the positions, OF needs the most upgrade (much more so than SS), not too mention Lagares and Cuddyer can not be counted on to play full seasons. Check out the defensive metrics of JBJ. They are exceptional and he could become our 4th OF or even get the starting CF job if he ever lives up to his potential. Even if he doesn’t, his defense alone makes him an immediate upgrade to Ceciliani. Also, I would not dismiss Craig so easily as an acquisition that could make an impact on the Mets.
first thing ben charington needs to do is fire himself then j farrell because he can t manage. nice guy but can t do the job. then somebody needs to fire chili davis, well proven he has deeply hurt the hitting on this team. again nice guy, just can t do the job. get 2 no. 1 and no. 2 starters, revamp most the bull pen. yeah sounds almost like buying a new team?sean donahue
How can Charington fire Farrell if he has already fired himself?
A flux capacitor and a DeLorean
Hello, DeAza, good-bye Peguero…..
He got so much playing time for the sox anyway
Sox management just trollin’ the fan base. Unreal.
The O’s should have traded him for yet another catcher.
Don’t tell me he’s going to replace Hanley. As atrocious as Hanley is on the field, his bat is too valuable to put on the bench.
Wonder how long it will be before De Aza is playing alongside Allen Craig in Pawtucket?
I think he would get dfa’d not reassigned
Didn’t see that move coming! Another guy with lesser defensive skills to play — left field? There has to be something brewing. De Aza can’t be the end game.
De Aza is a very good defensive OF.
Better than some. Hanley, Greg Luzinski and Frank Howard come to mind. He’s not a gazelle but would improve the effort level if he’s in LF. To me he’s a DH on a team that already has plenty of candidates: Papi. Hanley, Allen Craig. There’s another move coming.
Is Boston’s end game a move to get into the record books by playing all 8 positions with outfielders.lol
Surprised the O’s got what looks like a decent pitcher for De Aza nice move DD
I wonder if this Guy going to be part of a package trade holdover part or something, but it seems the LAST thing the Bosox needs is another outfielder.. Is Ramirez going to traded for a pitcher, from Brewers or Mets ?
Those red Sox wont go after cole hamels if they are gonna trade De aza to them because the texas rangers want cole hamels
De Aza has some talent.
He just didn’t carryover his success at the end of last year to this year.
I think it would be funny if he starts hitting and gaining confidence in himself again in Boston. Showalter didn’t know how to utilize him and really didn’t show all that much patience in him at all.
I don’t…I just don’t know anymore.
I don’t know which will happen first. Will the Red Sox acquire every single DFA’d outfielder or will the Dodgers acquire every single DFA’d relief pitcher. Tune in next time for the answer.
If the Red Sox get any more outfielders or infielders to play outfield, they are going to have to reserve Sections 39-41 and call it the Outfield Bullpen.
DeAza, strong defense? That’s criminally negligent analysis, though par for the course from this scribe. A basic in ability to man his position or go more than 4 games without a mental gaffe or baserunning blunder is what sent him packing from Chicago
De Aza, Craig, Nava and Coyle for Hamels and Revere and $30MM.
I don’t even know what to say.
I do =P
It reminds me of the silk commercial and his response to the person who didn’t want to give ‘Silk’ a try.
Silk Almond Man: (reserved outrage)That’s insane!
Ok fine, throw in Victorino too. Now it’s fair.
Ha! =)
Didn’t see that commercial but sounds about right
So the O’s paid 2.9 million for Joe Gunkel after giving up a Comp pick to avoid paying 2.5 mil to Ryan Webb. What am i missing?
Where does the “strong defense” assessment come from? What about the -2.0 dWAR rating that ranked him 139 out of 142 CF the last time he was a regular in ’13, and the -0.3 rating in ’14 (147 out of 160 LF) suggests strong defense? I’ll hang up and wait for an answer.