Red Sox-Dodgers Trade: Why LA Is Getting the Steal of the Century

The L.A. Dodgers are getting one heck of deal for their "mega" trade with the Boston Red Sox.

The Dodgers will be getting Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto for David DeJesus, Jerry Sands, James Loney, Rubby De La Rosa and a prospect.

The Sox are ridding themselves of three big-name players and a solid utility man for a group of largely unknowns from L.A. Between them, Boston's four have a combined 11 All-Star game selections, four Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards and one World Series MVP, with an average age of 32. 

The L.A. group's only accolade is a sixth-place Rookie of the Year voting finish, with an average age of 25.

In the short term, the Dodgers are getting a darn good trade. Clearly, the proven talent and associated accolades that L.A. will be gaining surpass what Boston will be getting out of the deal. 

The Dodgers will instantly get better with the added all-around depth—depth that will be required for a serious playoff run in the NL. In short: a quick return on their investment, with low risk.

On the other hand, the BoSox will most likely experience a slow return on their investment with high risk. Why? Unproven talent. Inexperienced players.

This one-sided affair might go down as the steal of the century, or at least one of the most lopsided deals in recent MLB history.

Note: The final deal is still pending physicals, the waiving of no-trade clauses, any final financial agreements and other minute hurdles.