A trade of Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox is floating around right now. If the Red Sox trade for Adrian Gonzalez, they would become the clear winners of this off-season, and would certainly become the American League favorites to return to another World Series. The Adrian Gonzalez-to-Boston rumors are coming from ESPN, which states that general manager Theo Epstein is trying to once again improve the offense of his Boston Red Sox. Attaining Gonzalez in a trade with the San Diego Padres would do exactly that, and he wouldn’t be very expensive for the next two seasons either.
Adrian Gonzalez has been playing for the San Diego Padres, and had arguably his best season in the Major Leagues in 2009. While playing in Petco Park, Gonzalez was able to hit 40 home runs and drive in 99 runs on the season. His on base percentage was .407 as he also posted 119 walks on the season, and he did all of this with no protection in the Padres line-up. He would have a much better chance to improve upon those offensive statistics if the Boston Red Sox were attain him, and because he doesn’t have an expensive contract, the Red Sox could still turn around and sign one of the offensive free agents on the market right now.
Right now Adrian Gonzalez is under contract with the Padres for just next season, but there is a club option for 2011 that would also transfer to the Red Sox if they traded for him. In 2010 Gonzalez will make $4.75 million and in 2011 his club option is for $5.5 million. Both seasons are extreme bargains for an all-star and Home Run Derby participant that could really post some amazing statistics if he were able to play in a small park like Fenway. Adrian Gonzalez is a 27-year-old first baseman that bats left-handed, so he has a lot of good years in front of him, and that is why the San Diego Padres shouldn’t give him up unless they get a lot of value in return.
It has become unclear what the San Diego Padres are trying to do with their team, and it seems like they aren’t playing to win right now. That leads most to believe that Gonzalez could be traded for several good prospects, and if the Red Sox have something that the Padres are interested in, they should just at the chance to make the trade. This really seems like something that the Boston Red Sox should act on quickly in order to get it finished before another team swoops in and offers a better deal for Gonzalez. Gonzalez is one of those players that could instantly improve any team’s offense, and it is actually surprising that more teams aren’t trying to make a move for him at this point.
Sources:
Adrian Gonzalez Trade Rumors
Adrian Gonzalez Player Profile
