The Rockies have acquired left-hander Franklin Morales from the Red Sox in exchange for infielder Jonathan Herrera, according to Ian Browne and Thomas Harding of MLB.com (Twitter link). In a second tweet, Harding adds that minor league right-hander Chris Martin is also headed to the Rockies.
The Red Sox acquired Morales from the Rockies in exchange for cash considerations in May 2011. With Boston, the now-27-year-old Morales pitched to a 3.90 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 134 innings. Though he did not pan out as a starter, Morales has held left-handed hitters to a .194/.286/.301 batting line in his career.
The Rockies added left-hander Boone Logan last week on a three-year deal, which led to them dealing Josh Outman to Cleveland for Drew Stubbs just less than an hour ago. However, Morales will now give manager Walt Weiss another lefty option to pair with Logan in the bullpen. Though Morales is a fly-ball pitcher, homers haven't been a problem for him in his career with the Rockies. He averaged 0.9 HR/9 as a member of the Rockies and has matched that rate at Coors Field, allowing seven homers in 70 1/3 career innings there.
Martin, 27, posted a 2.25 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 72 innings of relief between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Martin was actually drafted by the Rockies in the 21st round of the 2005 draft but did not sign. He went on to pitch in independent ball, where Red Sox scouts noticed him and signed him as an amateur free agent prior to the 2011 season.
The 29-year-old Herrera has batted .276/.326/.357 for the Rockies over the past two seasons in 466 plate appearances. The bulk of his work in the Majors has come at second base, where he has outstanding marks of +5.2 UZR/150 and +15 Defensive Runs Saved. Herrera also has experience at third base and shortstop, making him a versatile addition to manager John Farrell's bench.