Trades!

Dad --

Well, as you know today, July 31st, is the trade deadline and as the day draws to a close, there was a flurry of activity. So much so, it may actually take a score card to keep track of everyone.

First off I have to thank a couple of my Twitter pals for the constant updates. There was so much going on today, my computer wouldn't stop chirping. So thanks to @intentionalwalk for the 140 character updates and bostondirtdogs.com for filling in the blanks.

Anyway, if you recall on July 22nd the Sox acquired 1st baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pirates. He only played a few games and did a great job. But now, 9 days later, he's been traded to the Braves for another first baseman - Casey Kotchman. Kotchman is 26 and is batting .282 with six homers and 41 RBIs this season. LaRoche is 29, has a batting average of .263, 13 homers and 43 RBIs. So other than the batting average, seems LaRoche is the better 1st baseman, not that it matters, because most of the time Youkilis will be playing 1st.

But the bigger deal is Justin Masterson. He, along with Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, 2 pitchers I've never heard of, were traded to the Indians for catcher Victor Martinez. Although Masterson hasn't been doing well recently, he was 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA, he was still a good middle reliever and I'm sorry to see him go.

So, Dad, I ask you. Acquiring this new catcher makes me wonder if the Sox know something about Varitek we don't. He's been hitting this season, his .239 average is well above last year's .220, and he's still amazing behind the plate. Is he leaving? Are they going to give him more days off? Or is Kottaras disappearing? Or are they just covering their bases, no pun intended, in case something happens to either catcher. Martinez's average of .284 proves he has a powerful bat, but that can't be the only reason we traded him can it?

I don't think we need a catcher. What we need is pitching. Especially since it seems the only starters we can depend on pretty regularly are Lester and Beckett. But I guess Theo doesn't agree. There are 61 games left in the season, and only time will tell if these trades help or hinder. I for one hope they help, at least until we can get a good 6 or 7 games ahead of those dreaded Yankees and back where we belong in 1st place.

Jenn

P.S. As of 4:30 pm EST Roy Halladay had not been traded. Interesting, since he's the one everyone's been watching and talking about for the past few weeks.