The Jermaine Dye deal died on the vine, the two Sox teams seemingly too far apart on the players involved to even ask the South Side outfielder if he would approve a deal. Perhaps Ken Williams realized he let Tadahito Iguchi go for a song and expected the Red Sox to make up the talent differential.
Visions of Jerry Owens playing center proved too horrible for Williams, who probably held out for Jacoby Ellsbury. Thankfully Theo Epstein held his ground and the major deal accomplished was acquiring Eric Gagne from the Rangers for three minor league players. With Mike Timlin ailing, the power arm will prove valuable in the stretch run.
Kason Gabbard can be a middle to low end of the rotation starter for most clubs. Moving to Texas might actually help him, given that he performed so well at Fenway, which is actually more of a hitter’s park than Rangers Ballpark this season.
David Murphy was blocked by veterans on the big league club and eclipsed by Ellsbury. The move can only be good for the first rounder.
Engel Beltre was an international player signed last July at the age of 16. He’s so far away from contributing it hardly diminishes the system.
If Gagne walks at the end of this season, it is possible that Boston could get a first round pick and a sandwich pick.
And through it all, Brendan Donnelly’s need for Tommy John surgery was kept under wraps.
In a smaller deal, Joel Piñeiro was traded to the Cardinals for a player to be named later and cash considerations. The money aspect makes the returning player more intriguing as it could be someone of quality rather than roster fodder.
Meanwhile, the Yankees didn’t clear out their farm in a last-ditch attempt at contention, which would have been highly amusing. Instead they weakened what was already faulty by trading Scott Proctor for third baseman Wilson Betemit from the Dodgers.
I hope they gave Proctor a farewell bonfire.
