With Brendan Donnelly on the DL, Mike Timlin sitting with a sore shoulder and no place to put Kason Gabbard once Curt Schilling returns Boston Red Sox Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein pulled the trigger on a deal with the Texas Rangers to get some solid right hand relief help. The Sox have acquired closer Eric Gagne for Gabbard, outfield prospect David Murphy and outfield prospect Angel Beltre.
For waiving his no trade clause the Sox will pick up all the bonuses in Gagne’s reworked contract worth about $3.6 million dollars. Gagne and his agent, Scott Boras, wanted the bonuses to be reworked because Gagne will not be closing or finishing many games because of the presence of Jonathan Papelbon.
The 32-year-old Gagne, in his 9th major league season, is a three-time all-star and a former Cy Young Award winner while with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gagne in his first American League season is 2-0 with 16 saves, 2.16 ERA and 1.05 WHIP for Texas. He is expected to set up Papelbon and close on the occasions when Papelbon isn’t available.
Gagne has three seasons of 45+ saves in his career including seasons of 52 and 55 saves. His career record is 27-21 with 177 saves, 3.20 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
The 25-year-old Gabbard has just 14 major league appearances since making his debut in June of 2006. This year as a replacement for the injured Curt Schilling he is 4-0 in 7 starts with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.
Also in the deal are 25-year-old Triple A outfielder David Murphy. Murphy is currently batting .289 with 9 HRs and 47 RBI for Pawtucket.
Beltre, a 16-year-old prospect from the Dominican, is a left handed hitting outfielder with some power, a strong throwing arm and plays exceptional defense. He signed last year with the Red Sox as an under 17 year old free agent for a reported $600,000 dollars. Beltre participated in extended spring training and then was playing this year in the Dominican Leagues.
