Yesterday, there were rumors out there that the Boston Red Sox were going to be shipping Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Those rumors ended up being shot down just a few hours later.
24 hours later, it appears that the move is happening.
According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Red Sox have traded Scutaro to the Rockies. In return, the Red Sox will receive relief pitcher Clayton Mortensen.
For the Red Sox, it’s a salary dump of $6 million which could mean that they possibly have something in the works for another starting pitcher whether it be a free agent or in a trade. They have had interest in free agent Roy Oswalt during the offseason but had been waiting for his price to come down.
Edwin Jackson is also available on the free agent market but the rumors are that he’s been looking for a long-term deal. That is something the Red Sox aren’t looking to do.
The big question right now is who will play shortstop for the Red Sox this season.
Unless they think Jose Iglesias is ready, the odds on favorites to play there are Nick Punto and Mike Aviles. Of course, Aviles is also being considered as part of the competition for the right field spot.
It’s also quite possible the Red Sox are freeing up money to go after another outfielder with the uncertainity of Carl Crawford for the season opener and the aforementioned open right field spot.
In Scutaro’s two years with the Red Sox, he hit .284 with 18 home runs, 110 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
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Photo credit: Reuters Pictures
