Monday: Ugly Trade #7

What could have been

What got wasted

The Cleveland Indians send: Victor Martinez

The Boston Red Sox send: Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price


At first, you might not understand this one. Masterson hasn't been too good so far and V-Mart did provide some good offense for the Sox. However, I will argue that this is not the case. When the Sox acquired Martinez they were looking for a game changer who could help them on defense and support their struggling offense. He was supposed to be the piece that would help them get back into the World Series. However, in the 2009 ALDS Martinez only hit .182, with an OPS of .432, and the Sox didn't even make it into the playoffs in 2010.


Meanwhile Hagadone and Masterson have started to show their upsides. Hagadone is finally breaking into the upper minors, and holds a minor league career K/9 of 10.53. Masterson has shined so far this season, going 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA. He's also made a note of letting the Sox know what they missed; he holds a 2-0 record against them with a 0.64 ERA and 0.857 WHIP. Masterson has one of the most deceptive submarine deliveries in baseball and with his improving control he could become a really good pitcher (he's only 26). 

...and the fallout

But, the biggest fallout of this deal has yet to be discussed. It could have saved the Red Sox $82.5 million. You're probably asking yourself: "what is this guy talking about?" His name, is John Lackey. That's right, I think if this V-Mart trade had never been done then the Red Sox would have never signed Lackey. If they hadn't made the trade the Sox would have had another young front-line starter for their rotation. However, with only four starters and no good replacement Boston went and signed Lackey, who has done nothing, but struggled, since he's got to Boston. The Sox did receive a draft pick for losing Martinez this offseason, but they also lost a pick when they signed Lackey. The Sox could have had a great rotation with Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, Masterson and Daisuke; but, instead they lost a great submarine starter and wasted $82.5 million on a burnt out ace.