ROBERTS RACES TO PADRES
The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Dave Roberts from the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Jay Payton, infielder Ramon Vazquez, pitcher David Pauley and cash considerations.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
The Padres spent the entire 2004 season looking for someone to step up as their center-fielder and Roberts will put that search to rest for the 2005 season. He has a ton of range out there and will add the element of speed to the top of the lineup, another thing they were lacking in '04. For a change, that will give something for the big guns, like Brian Giles, Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko, to drive home.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
As much as the Padres needed what Roberts can give, they sure gave up a lot to get him. Payton will fill the role Roberts did late last year as a fourth outfielder, though the dimension he'll add off the bench is power rather than speed. Vazquez will give the Sox a dimension they were lacking heading into the '05 season as a utility infielder. He's capable of playing all four infield positions and can hit well enough to start if injuries strike. Finally, Pauley gives them a good right-handed pitching prospect. Just 21, he has at least a couple of years before the Sox would consider calling him to Boston, but he has an excellent curveball that could get him there eventually.
Fantasy impact
