Red Sox: Notable August waiver trades in franchise history
Despite the passing of the July trade deadline, it is still possible to make trade acquisitions. The Red Sox have made a few notable August trades.
Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made a few notable acquisitions at this year’s trade deadline. After acquiring Eduardo Nunez and Addison Reed, it’s possible that Dombrowski will still be in the trade market.
At this time of the year, most big-name players are unlikely to be traded. Instead of having the luxury of standard trading, they must now go through waivers. The waiver wire is a tricky process, but it hasn’t stopped the Red Sox from making moves at this time of the year in previous seasons.
This season, it’s possible that the Red Sox could still be in the market for a veteran power bat, or even a possible reliever. With waiver wire trades, contending teams often acquire a player they feel will boost their chances in the postseason. Most teams are solidified, but if an opportunity presents itself, Dombrowski may jump at the opportunity. Keep an eye on Jay Bruce and Mike Napoli, Sox fans.
Let’s take a look at the top five previous waiver wire trades in Sox history.
Red Sox claim LHP Mike Myers from Seattle
When the Red Sox acquired Mike Myers from the Seattle Mariners, he helped bolster a bullpen that was poised for a postseason run. Despite only posting a 4.20 ERA in a Sox uniform, Myers was a vital part of the ’04 World Series champions.
Myers was acquired in order to do one thing – get left-handed hitters out. Fortunately for the Red Sox, Myers did just that. He was called on to face one batter in eleven different situations. He was successful in 9 of 11 chances, proving his worth to Sox fans everywhere.
In the postseason, Myers was not called on often; however, when his number was called, he had great success. At the time, the Yankees had a power hitting lefty, Hideki Matsui. Myers’ job was to eliminate him in that series, doing so on multiple occasions – including a strikeout in Game 5 of the ALCS.
The 2017 Red Sox are in a very similar position to the ’04 club. They could really use a lefty-specialist, so I would not be surprised to see Dombrowski make a similar move.
This isn’t exactly a waiver wire deal that will stick out to the casual Sox fan, but since he contributed to breaking the curse he deserves to be included.
Red Sox acquire Util. Eric Hinske from Toronto
Eric Hinske was an acquisition that, again, doesn’t stick out in the minds of the casual Red Sox fan. In 2006, Theo Epstein decided to make the move to acquire a power hitter that had quite a bit of success in the AL East. The former AL Rookie of the Year, had his share of success throughout his career and Theo wanted to make sure that continued in Boston.
More from Red Sox News
- Boston Red Sox setting Trevor Story up for failure amidst Xander Bogaert departure
- Red Sox missed perfect free-agent signing to torment Yankees
- Red Sox finally get validation after Andrew Benintendi-White Sox contract
- Red Sox fans’ concern about Justin Turner signing speaks volumes
- Latest Red Sox-Rafael Devers contract update might be final straw for fans
As a career .260 hitter in Toronto, Hinske was known as a hitter that would drive in runs, while flashing power numbers. The intent was to become a solid option off the bench, while platooning with J.D. Drew, or Manny Ramirez, if a day-off was needed.
Hinske’s numbers didn’t translate to Boston, only posting a .204 batting average in 2007 for the Sox. Despite his lack of relative success, he was a part of the Mother’s Day Miracle against the Orioles and, of course, was a part of the ’07 World Series championship.
It is interesting to note that Hinske is now on the Chicago Cubs coaching staff, mentioning that he could be a good luck charm to the team upon his hire. As we know, the Cubs won a World Series with Hinske on the roster.
Though Hinske was not a vital piece in 2007, he is a notable August acquisition.
Red Sox trade OF Wily Mo Pena to Washington
Wily Mo Pena was an interesting character in Boston, to say the least. In 2006, Pena had one of the best seasons of his career, posting a .301 average with 11 home runs and 42 RBI’s. 2007 was not going quite as well, so the Red Sox decided to capitalize on what little value he had – receiving a PTBNL.
The reason why this is a notable move is because this freed up a roster spot for a young, blossoming star in the Red Sox organization – Jacoby Ellsbury. As we know, Jacoby won over the hearts of many and not only contributed to winning the World Series in 2007, but again in 2013.
Upon his arrival in Boston, Ellsbury lived up to every bit of hype. He hit .353, while stealing nine bases. He provided what Pena could not, with his plus speed and exceptional defense.
Obviously, he ended up leaving Boston for the rival Yankees, but his illustrious career with the Sox is undeniable. Trading Wily Mo Pena, opened the door for a young star to make an impact on the big league club.
Is it possible this could happen again? You never know, but this August move slides in at #3 on this list.
Red Sox send Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Nick Punto for James Loney, 4 prospects
2012 was quite a mess in Boston. The Red Sox were out of contention in the AL East and were haunted by multiple bad contracts. The Dodgers were enticed by the idea of receiving all star’s Gonzalez and Beckett in exchange for Crawford’s bad contract.
Rubby De La Rosa headlined the prospects heading to Boston , along with Allen Webster and Jerry Sands. The Red Sox plan was to clear cap space in 2012, in hopes of improvement in 2013.
More from Red Sox News
- Boston Red Sox setting Trevor Story up for failure amidst Xander Bogaert departure
- Red Sox missed perfect free-agent signing to torment Yankees
- Red Sox finally get validation after Andrew Benintendi-White Sox contract
- Red Sox fans’ concern about Justin Turner signing speaks volumes
- Latest Red Sox-Rafael Devers contract update might be final straw for fans
De La Rosa never amounted to anything in Boston and was packaged with Webster in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, acquiring Wade Miley. Neither prospect has amounted to much; however De La Rosa is the only prospect on a big league roster.
Adrian Gonzalez went on to have a fantastic career in Los Angeles, Josh Beckett retired shortly after. Crawford and Punto proved to be “throw ins” in the deal. Beckett did deliver a no-hitter, but outside of Gonzalez, the Dodgers did not receive much production.
This deal was actually a huge win for the Sox. Bobby Valentine was fired, in favor of John Farrell, and Ben Cherington signed veteran free agents to fill gaps.
As we know, the Red Sox went from worst to first, winning the 2013 World Series.
This is quite possibly the biggest August deal of all time; however, it is not the most notable, or important, in Red Sox history.
Red Sox acquire Tony Armas Jr. from the New York Yankees
The most notable August deal in Red Sox history involved a player that never threw a pitch in a Boston uniform. In 1997, the Red Sox acquired a young prospect by the name of Tony Armas Jr. for Mike Stanley and Randy Brown.
One year later, the Red Sox sent Carl Pavano and Armas Jr to the Montreal Expos. Armas Jr. was the big prospect that was sent in exchange for a young flamethrower from the Dominican Republic.
Oh yeah, this guy.
Pedro Martinez in the #AllStarGame was 🔥🔥🔥🔥. (🎥 @Cut4) pic.twitter.com/Gj5MMH34LJ
— RealClearSports (@RealClearSports) July 11, 2017
Yes, Pedro Martinez was acquired largely due to a trade that was made during the August waiver period. Pedro went on to become a Hall of Fame pitcher in Boston, winning various awards, and blossoming into one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
Tony Armas Jr, on the other hand, had a career 4.65 ERA in Montreal / Washington – hardly in the same conversation as Martinez.
It is very unlikely that the Red Sox would be able to swing a deal, such as this, but that doesn’t mean that a piece to a blockbuster trade won’t be acquired.
Next: Devers' Making an Immediate Impact
The August waiver period has endless possibilities, as often times a team will try to get rid of a player with a monster contract – similar to the Dodgers / Gonzalez trade. That trade could be used as a model for Giancarlo Stanton possibly heading out of Miami. Either way, the Red Sox have made plenty of trades during this time and I wouldn’t be surprised to see another this season.