Breaking News! Red Sox Acquire Victor Martinez!

The Boston Red Sox have had a history of big trades at the deadline since GM Theo Epstein took over for the Red Sox. 

Nomar Garciaparra was traded in a 3-team deal in 2004 which brought the Sox Orlando Cabrera, Dave Roberts and Doug Mientkiewicz. Manny Ramirez was traded at the deadline in 2008 for Jason Bay.  Now Victor Martinez is a Red Sox.

Going to Cleveland in exchange for Martinez is highly touted pitching prospect Nick Hagadone and pitchers Justin Masterson and Bryan Price.

Martinez gives the Red Sox the depth in the lineup that they have needed for the better part of a month.  A switch hitting catcher/first baseman with great power and who hits for average, Martinez can slide into any spot in the lineup and be productive. My best guess is that he moves to the 5 hole and provides added protection for the suddenly surging David Ortiz who has been hitting in the cleanup spot. 

Cleveland is getting more prospects to rebuild with.  Nick Hagadone, the gem prospect of this trade was a 1st round choice of the Red Sox in 2007.  Coming off of Tommy John surgery in 2008, Hagadone a 6'5" 230lbs lefthander was 0-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 10 games for single-A Greenville with 32 k's in 25 innings.

Masterson, another young arm heading to Cleveland, is a versatile guy who has started and came out of the bullpen during his tenure with the Sox. In 2009 he is 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA this season in 72 innings.

Price is a right-hander drafted in the 1st round 45th overall as a supplemental choice by the Red Sox in 2008. Price has 3/4 delivery wit a consistent fastball in the mid 90's. 

The Sox were able to acquire a big time hitter without dealing away top prospects like Clay Buchholz, Casey Kelly and Daniel Bard.  Time will tell if this move will pay dividends like the previous big trades the Sox have made in '04 and '08.  Hopefully, for the team’s sake and Red Sox nation, this leads to another World Series championship.