The Red Sox have acquired 26-year old lefty swinging 1B Casey Kotchman from the Braves for 29-year old lefty swinging 1B Adam LaRoche. Kotchman played in 87 games for the Braves this season and he was 84 for 298 (.282 avg, .764 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 6 homers and 41 RBIs. He has now played in 481 games in his major league career and he is 431 for 1,587 (.272 avg, .752 OPS) with 186 runs scored, 39 homers, 226 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Kotchman’s best asset is his defense and that’s probably why the Red Sox made this trade with Victor Martinez likely to play a lot of 1B for them. Kotchman will definately see his playing time take a big hit with his move to Boston. Adam LaRoche was made expendable when the Red Sox traded for Martinez. LaRoche played in 6 games for the Red Sox and he was 5 for 19 (.263 avg, .789 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs.

The Red Sox have acquired 30-year old switch hitting 1B/C Victor Martinez from the Indians for 24-year old righty reliever/starter Justin Masterson, 23-year old lefty starting pitcher Nick Hagadone and 22-year old righty starting pitcher Bryan Price. Martinez will likely catch and play a lot of 1B with the Red Sox. He played in 99 games for the Indians this season and he was 107 for 377 (.284 avg, .832 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 15 homers and 67 RBIs. In his 8 years with the Indians, Martinez played in 821 games in which he was 900 for 3,035 (.297 avg, .832 OPS) with 413 runs scored, 103 homers and 518 RBIs. Martinez was the Indians’ lone representative in the All-Star game this season and he should definately help out the Red Sox offense the rest of the season. Masterson pitched in 31 games (6 starts) for the Red Sox this season and he was 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. In two seasons with the Red Sox, Masterson pitched in 67 games (15 starts) in which he was 9-8 with a 3.76 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. The Red Sox won’t likely miss Masterson much as they are very deep in the bullpen. Nick Hagadone was the Red Sox’ #3 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Hagadone pitched in 10 games (all starts) in A-ball this season and he was 0-2 with a 2.52 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He appears to have his stuff back as he only allowed 13 hits in 25 innings while whiffing 32 batters. He had Tommy John Surgery last May so it might take him some time in the minors before Cleveland gives him a chance. Bryan Price was the Red Sox’ #20 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He started 19 games in A-ball for the Red Sox this season and he was 4-8 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Red Sox gave up some decent young pitchers to get Martinez but he will give the batting order a much needed jolt the rest of the season.

The Boston Red Sox have acquired 27-year old righty swinging outfielder Brian Anderson from the White Sox for 33-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Mark Kotsay and cash. Anderson played in 65 games for the White Sox this season and he is 44 for 185 (.238 avg, .641 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. In five years with the White Sox, Anderson played in 334 games in which he was 176 for 782 (.225 avg, .652 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 20 homers, 75 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Anderson is a outstanding defensive outfielder so the Red Sox will likely call him up when rosters expand in September…if not before. Kotsay played in 27 games for the Red Sox this season and he was 19 for 74 (.257 avg, .615 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer, 5 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. This was good value for the Red Sox who designated Kotsay for assignment last week.

John Lester got off to a slow start to the 2009 season but he’s on fire right now. He has started 20 games this season for the Red Sox and he is 9-7 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Lester has whiffed a stunning 146 batters in only 128 1/3 innings for the Red Sox as he has turned into the 2nd most dependable starting pitcher for the team behind Josh Beckett. Lester is now one of the best starting pitchers in the American League and he’s just getting better.

The Red Sox have released 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Paul McAnulty. McAnulty played in 90 games in AAA-ball this season for the Red Sox and he was 76 for 326 (.233 avg, .733 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 11 homers and 48 RBIs. The Red Sox won’t miss McAnulty as he was way too far down the organizational depth chart to get a chance with them this season anyhow.