[MLBFan]

Boston, San Diego Complete Blockbuster
May First, 2004

The Red Sox were not kidding at all when they said they were willing to deal RF Trot Nixon in favor of pitching. In fact, they just finalized a deal which would send the star right-fielder west, to San Diego, for decorated left-handed pitcher, David Wells. 'Boomer', as the fans call him, is ecstatic to be calling the AL East his home once again. "When my agent called and told me the news, I started jumping for joy. I made my career in the AL East. I've played for the Yankees, Jays, and Orioles... but never the Red Sox. I'm honored to be included in their plans of creating a championship caliber team." Wells told Baseball News Network reporter Lisa Sammons. "Now I'll be honest with you... when I heard Boston was looking for a left-handed arm, I did not expect that arm to be me. You heard the reports of them wanting the two year younger Glavine, or ten year younger Redman of Oakland. Again though, I'm just happy to be going to Boston."

The legendary Theo Epstein made some comments about the trade, too. "I was looking at my possible options -- I had Glavine in New York who would make an excellent fifth starter, but then I decided I wanted more. Originally, I contacted Oakland about their asking price on Barry Zito, and it seemed sort of high... so I walked away from that, and inquired about a few more players before deciding on Wells. At first, they wanted a lot, naturally. However, I explained that Wells is old and aging fast; plus, I had them look at his weight -- can you believe he weighs 265 pounds? Anyway though, after we considered all the internal and external factors, a deal kinda just came together and Nixon was packing his bags for San Diego." Epstein shortly did make a wonderful trade. Wells, on most teams, would be a number one or two starter, but on the Sox? On the Sox, Wells is a number three starter at best, but he'll be putting up ace-like numbers. Can you sing the best rotation in the league song, because that's what it currently looks like to me.

For the month of April, the Sox did well. They did well enough to claim first place in the AL East, which is nothing short of amazing. The Blue Jays though, not the Yankees, are knocking hard on the gate. They are trying very, very hard to dethrone Boston. It could happen, too. The Sox are performing poorly against their Canadian brethren, claiming only one game out of six already played thus far in 2004. Things could change in an instant though, so nothing is certain; especially now the with acquisition of a new ace.

Other General Managers though, weren't silent. The Phillies sent 2B Placido Polanco to the White Sox for 3B Joe Crede. Then, the Expos responded by trading LF Juan Rivera to the Diamondbacks in exchange for one of the better relievers in the game... RHP Matt Mantei. Then, the Angels' C David Ross found himself being thrown out of town to Colorado for RHP Vladamir Nunez. And it does not end there because the Mets and Rays exchanged players. Fred McGriff is heading back to the NL East, while C Jason Phillips is being welcomed with open arms by the Devil Rays.

Lots and lots of trades are going down, naturally. Teams aren't strengthening their team for the post season right now, but they are strengthening their teams so they don't have to make as many blockbusters come July. It's nice to see, and it is even better to see a well-liked guy named Mike Mussina pick up his two-hundredth career win. Mussina, thirty-five, isn't likely to reach 300 wins, but it is possible that the 200 win guy finds himself a spot in the Hall of Fame if he can keep pitching like he normally does for another four years or so.

American League Awards

Batter of the Month: CF Mark Kotsay -- .389/7/17
Pitcher of the Month: SP Johan Santana -- 4-1 & 1.76 ERA
Rookie of the Month: CF Curtis Granderson -- .345/4/13

National League Awards

Batter of the Month: CF Jason Michaels -- .523/5/22
Pitcher of the Month: SP Kevin Millwood -- 5-0 & 0.76 ERA
Rookie of the Month: 3B Chad Tracy -- .303/4/11