August 10, 2008
Sox Add Power, Acquire Dunn from Reds
Chicago (AP) -- The Red Sox offense has slumped, allowing the Yankees to pull ever so close in the American League East race. At the trade deadline, general manager Theo Epstein made two big moves, acquiring Brian Wilson and Rafael Furcal to fill two large holes for Boston. And now, Epstein has gone back outside the organization to bolster the struggling offense once again.
"What does it say about their depth, that they have to go outside once again," one rival talent evaluator said. "Their bench doesn't scare anyone. Bloomquist, Lugo, Jones, Bard. Average at best."
In acquiring Adam Dunn in a waiver trade, the Red Sox sent C Dustin Brown, 1B Sean Casey, MR Javier Lopez, 3B Andy LaRoche and CL Craig Hansen to the Reds.
"We felt that this i a great addition for our club," Epstein said after announced the trade. "Adam brings a great presence to our club and will be a great addition in the heart of our lineup."
Where he fits in that lineup will be left up to Terry Francona. With Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis locked into the three natural positions for Dunn, Francona will have to juggle his lineup to keep his four sluggers happy.
"It's something we expect Adam to accept," Francona said. "He's coming in here to add to our lineup. We'll find the AB's to keep everyone fresh, but they may not come as frequent as they did in Cincinnati for him."
A free agent at the end of the season, Dunn's acquisition is a smart move by the Red Sox. His bat is an upgrade over Sean Casey (.271/.328/.373) and he cost the Sox only two valuable pieces, Adam LaRoche and Craig Hansen. LaRoche, acquired via waivers from Los Angeles last month, appeared in just ten games with Pawtucket, hitting .205.
With addition, Francona now has the option of batting Dunn third behind Coco Crip and Youkilis and in front of Manny Ramirez (.310, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), David Ortiz (.294, 24, 77) and Rafael Furcal (.281/.324/.516). Of course, the defense will suffer with Youkilis at third and Dunn at first, but rumors have the Sox interested in signing Craig Counsell as a late inning defensive replacement after the veteran was released by the Milwaukee Brewers.
In Cincinnati, the Reds (59-61, .492) are clearly in cost-cutting mode, having dropped to third in the NL Central, 19 games behind the Chicago Cubs (77-41, .653). with Dunn's spot in the lineup vacant, the Reds are expected to recall prized prospect Joey Votto (.314, 11 HR, 46 RBIs / Lou)
One big major decision Epstein still has to make is what to do with Dunn at the end of the season. Eligible for free agency, the slugger may not fit into the Sox's long-term plans, especially considering his impending Type-A status. Along with Dunn, the Sox have Rafael Furcal, Jason Varitek, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, and Andruw Jones all eligible for free agency, clearing nearly $48 million off the books.