Three Red Sox deals that had to be made and one that must

The Boston Red Sox historically had three deals that had to be made.  Now they have one possibly pending that must be made.

Baseball has a litany of axioms that are firmly anchored in the methodology of the sport such as “The best trades are the ones that help both teams.” Trading a player is a delicate manner since it has an essential base in that the player is no longer wanted or needed. A rejection of a suitor mentality. Pack your bags and leave.

The crux of the trade has changed since the advent of free agency and its evil financial twin arbitration – at least from the view of a team’s accounting department. Consummating transactions have eventually had leaks that would render a Congressional committee as secret as the Illuminati. The media is quite adept at pursuing information from “unnamed sources” and giving the backstory on just why a valued contributor was cut from the herd.

The Red Sox have a history of players whose shelf life in Boston was nearing an expiration date and simply had to go. Invariably, the issue of money became a concern, as did the perceived and often real dysfunctional behaviors.

The Red Sox are now in a situation where financial considerations have presumably forced their decision-making. Trade winds are blowing and if a flag system was in use within baseball a dual red would be flapping above Fenway Park.

Now a look back at three trades that had to be made and one that simply must be made.

There is a linkage between Garciaparra and one of the best right-handed hitters I ever saw in Manny Ramirez. Ramirez was the beneficiary of an enormous $160 million contract that the Henry ownership inherited and wished to dissolve.

The Red Sox had eyes for another and were infatuated with Alex Rodriguez who later became infamous in Red Sox history. This created a problem as in a monetary problem and Ramirez was offered up to any with the stipulation that you inherit one of the top-tier hitters and contracts. Ramirez stayed tethered to Boston.

Eventually, the Rodriguez deal became a historical casualty and Garciaparra’s tenure in Boston came to an abrupt end. But within the convoluted machinations of this soap opera drama was David Ortiz. Ortiz – a roster afterthought – soon teamed with the petulant Ramirez to create a one-two punch that would do Rocky Marciano proud.

Manny being Manny is a veritable baseball circus of the laughable to the unforgiving. The highlight reel contains assaults on team personal, lax play, conflicts with teammates, and the eventual contract issue as time was expiring on Manny’s eight-year deal.

The Red Sox and Manny parted company at the trading deadline in 2008 and reflecting via that noted tool of hindsight this was a deal that had to happen and did. Eventually, Ramirez’s dabbling in banned substances surfaced that would tarnish his accomplishments. Ramirez was gone and replacement part Jason Bay took over in left field as a far quieter replacement.

Red Sox management lust is difficult for me to comprehend in that certain players become shiny keys that they must have. The fascination with Julio Lugo is one and that with hitting machine Adrian Gonzalez is another. The Red Sox finally resolved the itch with a massive trade that brought Gonzalez to Boston.

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On the surface, this deal was perfect and the two-year results demonstrated Gonzalez’s competency with his wondrous and productive left-handed swing. Gonzalez was not just a hitter as his multiple Gold Glove Awards show his noted defensive acumen. What happened?

Gonzalez’s trade was essentially a trade and sign deal and that was a seven-year and $154 million commitment. Historically, it is best summarized in a previous BSI story by Sean Penney and the final resolution was a fortuitous partner in the Los Angeles Dodgers who absorbed another Red Sox mistake in Carl Crawford with a deal that sheds payroll and misery of Josh Beckett, Crawford, and Gonzalez.

What you wish for often has unintended consequences, especially when you are statistically blinded. A team construct often goes beyond traditional and metric statistical evaluation and Gonzalez becomes a warning to others.

The Dodgers got just what the Red Sox did and that was four relatively productive seasons from Gonzalez before the noted complainer extraordinaire finishes off his career with the New York Mets. For the Red Sox, this deal had to be made as did the quick demise of manager Bobby Valentine.

The previous three trades had to be made and the one issue that resonated within each was disenchantment. The fissure developed and an aura of negativity surrounding player, management, teammates, and the public. That all is dismissed when discussing Mookie Betts.

If baseball has a category of solid citizens then Betts is certainly sequestered in it. Rarely does a negative surface regarding Betts, whose accomplishments on and off the field are well documented. Betts’ stature among his teammates and his industrious approach to his profession are exceptional, but circumstances make this a deal that must be made.

Betts has all the intention of exercising what free agency may offer – a notable risk that could be impacted by poor performance or an unfortunate serious injury. The potential reward is worth it. The Red Sox have reportedly made an offer that was rebuffed by the Betts team, but certainly, that book is not closed.

The confluence of payroll considerations and free agency now force a hard decision by management. Do you absorb $27 million that restricts your payroll maneuverability or simply take the best available offer and move on?

If management is to be believed then the Red Sox have little leeway and Betts may not see a locker with his name on it at Fenway Park when 2020 season opens. This is not a poison pill for Boston based on the three previously mentioned deals. Three remarkable players who left but did not destroy the franchise. Championships came despite their departure.

The Red Sox simply need to make a decision as quickly as possible. The lessons of history show that even with the best of the best-expunged success is not necessarily a victim.