Why the Sox-Dodgers deal makes sense

After last season, Red Sox fans could be forgiven for thinking that disappointment this season was impossible. They would, however, be wrong. Despite boasting one of the best line-ups in baseball on paper, the Sox struggled with the bat and ball this season, and find themselves out of contention for October baseball. When Adrian Gonzalez was placed on waivers it seemed to be little more than an attempt to test the waters - see which teams would be interested come the off-season. As expected, the Dodgers made a claim - a power hitting left-handed 1st baseman fits their needs perfectly. However, as was not expected, it appears that a shocking, blockbuster trade will indeed take place.

This trade is crazy for a number of reasons. Firstly, Adrian Gonzalez is, despite his well-documented struggles in Boston, one of the elite hitters in the game. He appeared to be turning it around since the all-star break too, hitting .338 with 9 homers and 41 RBI, and at 30, he still has several productive years ahead of him. The Red Sox dealing away Gonzalez seemed incredibly unlikely unless they got rid of several huge contracts in the process.

And that is exactly what they have done. The scapegoat this season in Boston has been Josh Beckett, who having formerly dominated AL hitting, fell apart this year, falling out with other players and fans in the process with his nonchalant approach. Getting rid of Beckett is an absolute blessing for the Red Sox, who not only free up some salary room, but also lose an apparent clubhouse nuisance. The biggest contract sat in the Red Sox clubhouse is also on the way out - talented but underachieving outfielder Carl Crawford will be going to LA along with Beckett and Gonzalez. This is, perhaps, the best side of the deal for the Red Sox, as Crawford's gargantuan salary need no longer be a concern, and the fact that he is unlikely to step on a baseball field for another year after having Tommy John surgery makes him a very expensive player in the short term for the Dodgers.

Not only that, but the Dodgers are losing several big prospects. Both Rubby de la Rosa and Allen Webster are considered elite pitching prospects, whilst James Loney fills a short-term gap at 1st base. There is no doubt that LA are destroying their farm system in the hope for nearby success. However, this is still a good move for LA management. 1st base was a problem for them, and in Adrian Gonzalez they have a major upgrade. Carl Crawford is still reasonably young, and when he bounces back from surgery he will provide elite hitting and speed from left field. Josh Beckett was once considered one of the best pitchers in the game, and if he can rediscover some of that form he bolsters the LA rotation. The salary, at least for the moment, appears to be the least of their concerns.

For both sides this trade makes sense - the Red Sox have cleared up vast amounts of salary room and can rebuild in the off-season. The Dodgers may have pulled off an incredible coup by receiving 3 potentially elite players in August and they now have an extremely legitimate chance at making the post-season.