RED SOX SEND THREE FOR V-MART
The Boston Red Sox acquired catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians for pitchers Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
In Martinez, the BoSox have landed one of the best pure hitters in baseball, and a player who defends at catcher and first base. So Martinez not only gives Boston a middle-of-the-order RBI man, he also provides the team with great versatility (in that he can spell starting catcher Jason Varitek but play every day at first or DH otherwise). It also allows the team to rest the aging and injury-prone Mike Lowell more often in favor of Kevin Youkilis, who can shift over from first. This move makes the Red Sox a potential World Series favorite. They also have a team option to keep Martinez for 2010 after his five-year deal runs out following this season.
What does it give the Cleveland Guardians
The Indians are in cost-cutting mode (partly because of their struggles in the standings) and with talented prospect Carlos Santana tearing it up at Double-A Akron (batting .280 with 19 HRs and 75 RBI), the team is set for the future behind the plate. The pitching package of prospects Masterson and Price (both righties) plus Hagadone (a lefty) is solid but notably does not include potential star Clay Buchholz, who was regularly rumored as a player on the block.
Fantasy impact
