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The Boston Red Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez from the San
Diego Padres in exchange for 3 prospects and a player to be named. The deal is
said to be worth $23 million per season over a span of 7 years.
The slugger will likely replace Victor Martinez as the
number 3 in the batting order and Mike Lowell at first base, who said he’s
considering retiring.
Gonzalez has a career batting average of .284 and hit 30 or
more home runs in his last 4 seasons. That’s quite impressive seeing that PETCO
Park is the most pitcher-friendly ballpark in the Majors.
The 7-year veteran played in 160 games last year and hit 31
home runs and 101 RBI. He scored 87 runs and batted .298.
Compared to last season Adrian Gonzalez is an upgrade at first
base as well as in the batting order. The Red Sox got themselves a premier
first baseman who may not even have peaked yet. In each of the last 4 seasons
Gonzalez played at least 160 games. Playing in the AL has the advantage that he
could always be used as designated hitter if he needed some rest.
Fantasy Perspective
Adrian Gonzalez has long been one of the best fantasy
players and his value has just increased. I always avoided him though because I
don’t like hitters who have the PETCO-factor attached to them. Despite facing
better pitching in general he should get closer to 40 home runs. The Red Sox
have so much talent in their lineup that 100 or more RBI, maybe even runs,
should be easily achieved.
There are many elite first basemen in the draft next season,
Albert Pujols (STL), Miguel Cabrera (DET), Joey Votto (CIN) to name a few, but
Gonzalez will be right up there as well.
New York Yankees Perspective
This acquisition is no good news for the Yankees. Boston’s
lineup has just become as talented as anyone’s. It will be interesting to see
who’s the best first baseman in the American League, Miguel Cabrera (DET), Mark
Teixeira (NYY) or Adrian Gonzalez.
The wheeling and dealing isn’t over yet but, as it stands
now, we can expect a three horse race in the AL East which could go down to the
wire.
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