Boston Red Sox Looking Into Trade with the Cleveland Indians?

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ESPN's Buster Olney has reported that there have been preliminary trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and the Celevaland Indians. The trade would help both teams, as their needs will be partially fulfilled.

The trade has shaped up so the Indians would trade their top prospect, in Matt LaPorta, in exchange for one of Boston's young arms, either Michael Bowden, Clay Bucholtz, or Daniel Bard.

This would mean that LaPorta would be traded for the second time in two years.

So far this season, LaPorta is batting .211 with one home run and four runs batted in, which have not impressed the Red Sox organization.

On the other hand, Bowden and Bucholz have been dominating down in the Triple A area, with both men having ERAs under 1.50. This is not a good sign for the trade as of today, though something may still be done near July 31.

LaPorta was actually drafted by Boston in 2006, but he decided against signing to Boston and later joined the Chicago Cubs organization. After that, he spent time in the Brewers' organization and was traded to Cleveland in part of the CC Sabathia deal.

There is also speculation that Victor Martinez of the Indians is currently not on the market right now, but if he is indeed heading to the trading block in late June or early July, Boston will be the front-runners. I predict that Boston would trade Daniel Bard, and two other prospects lower in the organization in exchange for Martinez and maybe LaPorta.

What does this trade do for both teams? Well it satisfies the offensive struggles of David Ortiz, which is looking to not be going away despite his first home run this week.

It also enhances the Indian's rotation so much because all three of the Red Sox prospects have such bright futures and Boston can afford to trade one of them due to their depth of pitching.

In reality, this trade would be perfect for both Cleveland and Boston as it would satisfy the needs for both teams.

I could also see Boston aquiring Matt Holliday, Jack Wilson, or Nick Johnson in later offers, but I do like this move the best because Martinez would be the catcher of the future, as Varitek only has an option at the end of the season if they wish to drop him.

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