Red Sox send Kelly Johnson to Orioles for Jemile Weeks

In an unexpected move after the Red Sox game tonight, Kelly Johnson was sent along with minor leaguer Michael Almanzar to the Orioles for Jemile Weeks and Ivan Dejesus, Jr.. The Orioles are looking for depth at third base in the wake of Manny Machado‘s season-ending knee injury. Johnson was acquired from the Yankees in exchange for Stephen Drew

There is a wide array of connections between the players and these organizations here. Almanzar was drafted by the Red Sox, then lost last year in the Rule 5 draft to the Orioles, who returned him to the Red Sox this year. Apparently, the Orioles liked him enough to give him another try. Dejesus Jr. was with the Red Sox in September of 2012 after he came over in the August blockbuster with the Dodgers, going hitless in eight at-bats. He was sent to the Pirates in December of 2012 as part of the package that brought over Joel Hanrahan and Brock Holt

Weeks might be the most interesting part of this trade for the Red Sox. A former 2008 first round draft choice of the Athletics, he was sent to the Orioles for their former closer Jim Johnson who flamed out in Oakland and is now pitching for the Tigers. As a rookie in 2011, Weeks put up a .303/.340/421 line in 97 games at second base. 2012 did not work out well for Weeks, he started 110 games at second base, but only managed a .221/.305/.304 line. In 2013, he only had nine plate appearances in the majors for the A’s which made him expendable in the Johnson deal. The Orioles didn’t have much use for him either, Weeks only had 13 plate appearances for Baltimore this season.

Obviously, he isn’t playing second base in Boston anytime soon, but first rounders are always intriguing, and perhaps he could be used as a trade chip. In the minors he hit for an .833 OPS last year and .769 OPS the year before. Weeks could be used as a utility guy if Holt earns a regular infield position for next year.

The addition of Weeks should add another to the list of young players trying to make a name for themselves in September, depending on the severity of Dustin Pedroia‘s possible concussion suffered in tonight’s game.