Red Sox Swoop for Indians' Martinez

Locked in a tight wild-card race and in need of an offensive boost, the Red Sox struck a blockbuster deal Friday, acquiring catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez from the Indians.

FanHouse first reported that Boston was on the verge of acquiring Martinez Friday afternoon. A source confirmed reports that Cleveland would get right-hander Justin Masterson, Single-A left-hander Nick Hagadone and a player to be named, expected to be Single-A right-hander Bryan Price.

A second source said Boston then traded first baseman Adam LaRoche, the odd man out after Martinez's arrival, to Atlanta. The first source confirmed that was straight up for Casey Kotchman, who could be a defensive replacement at first.

More: Latest Trade Deadline Stories | Fantasy Impact of V-Mart Deal

Martinez could theoretically play first base when third baseman Mike Lowell (hip) is unavailable, with Kevin Youkilis at third in that case. And Martinez could share time at catcher with Jason Varitek, who his hitting .231 since May 25.

Cleveland already traded ace Cliff Lee this week, figuring it could not contend next year with the economic constraints given by ownership.

The switch-hitting Martinez is hitting .284 with 15 homers and is 10th in the AL with 67 RBI. His contract includes a $7 million team option for 2010.

Boston has a team .317 on-base percentage since the All-Star break, with just 55 runs and eight homers in 13 games.

LaRoche, acquired from Pittsburgh on July 22, was hitting a combined .248 with 13 homers and 43 RBI.

Masterson, 24, was 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA for Boston in six starts and 25 relief appearances.

Hagadone, 23, was a supplemental first-round pick in 2007. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2008 and has returned for 10 starts this year.

Price, 22, was 4-8 with a 4.67 ERA for two Class A teams. He was a supplemental first-round pick last year.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-31-2009 @ 3:26PM

sonchopanza said...

Dolan is having a fire sale! What a F...ing ass this guy is, Shapiro too. As a Ohio resident I beg all of you to never attend or watch another Indians game. Please sell this team to Dan Gilbert, atleast he is willing to put a product worthy of the fans loyalty. Dolan, Shapiro i am begging you, LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7-31-2009 @ 4:25PM

WHATZ UP? said...

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE 17 YEARS OF THIS.EX PITTSBURGH PIRATE FAN

daveenlakwood said...

Mark Shapiro and Larry Dolan continue to rape fans of all star players........... time to force
them to leave town ............ they are two millionaire jackasses that like to stick it to the fans who show up at the games........... back to the 70s and 3,500 fans at the games........ turn them off and support an owner that cares....
thank you Dan Gilbert for trying... to mr Dolan screw u

7-31-2009 @ 3:51PM

Jim said...

Starting tonight everyone. Don't watch the games on STO anymore since Dolon owns that and if you have not bought any tickets yet for the minor league games left at Progressive, DON'T!! PLEASE stay away and maybe Dolon, Wedge and Shapiro will all be gone. If not the next few years will be gloomy indeed. Charlie Finley had nothing on Dolon, who proved how dumb he was for paying almost 500 million to Richard, the rip off king, Jacobs. Maybe you can 50 dollars and a new Ford for them now Dolon. Get out of town!!!

7-31-2009 @ 3:53PM

PS don't go to the message boards on Indians.com either. You can't use the words Moron, Idiot or Dumbell on there. Violates terms of service. Talk about covering your as....!!!

7-31-2009 @ 4:12PM

johareh said...

the angels didn't trade anybody that's bad.

7-31-2009 @ 5:19PM

jiggywidit752841 said...

yes i know but they didnt have anythign to give up to other teams they are doign great so far picthing will hurt them donwn the linem yabe hope not anotheryear of anther loss i nthe frist round of the playoffs

7-31-2009 @ 4:13PM

Jess said...

As a Ranger fan, I can understand why you'd be upset with the owners, but you have to look on the bright side..you could be a Pirates fan!!! Talk about hosing your city over & over & over again. They have turned that franchise into a Triple A team.

7-31-2009 @ 4:47PM

papam11 said...

His numbers aren't bigtime and where's he supposed to play? Unless they take out Varitek, Youkilis or Lowell(Youk to 3rd?), Martinez
will have to DH, which means that Ortiz will have to sit. Now with Kotchman, who's batting average is the same as Martinez, the Sox have 5 people to play 3 positions. And still no shortstop. I don't get it.

7-31-2009 @ 4:59PM

bigsavecoach said...

I am done as an Indians fan forever!!!!!

You have brought this franchise back to the 70's.

7-31-2009 @ 5:07PM

FunnyFace said...

I think that this shit that Larry Dolan and Mark Shapiro are a bunch of B_ _ _ _es and need to have their heads examined. Who would trade away their all star player to let alone their CY award player just like they did last year. No one wants to go to a game anymore, cuz their is no one on that team with the exception of Sizemore and Hafner, but they too are hurt. Please God if your up there why in your name did they do this? To save money, no one is really not going to go to a game now. This is Bull and I refuse to give the Indians my money anymore.

7-31-2009 @ 5:10PM

noah said...

Atleast they dont own our Cavs or theyd trade LeBron for Scot Pollard or something.

7-31-2009 @ 6:03PM

Dave said...

Red Sox are bringing in Ortiz replacement, he is not up to what he was and can not keep hitting 220 as a DH Im sorry for the cleveland and pittsburg fans but its the sign of the times.the small market teams are getting killed , they do not have enough money to win. the next thing the fans don't come out in those towns unless they are big winners. the red sox draw god even when they were bad which is good for them

7-31-2009 @ 6:08PM

tonytiger18 said...

Is he on PEDs?

Then, he will fit right in.

7-31-2009 @ 6:26PM

NOAH>>>>>> enjoy LeBron and Shaq for this year They do not have the Money in Cleveland to keep LaBron and Shaq this will be his last year and he won't stay with out another star

7-31-2009 @ 6:38PM

Dave,
The difference is dan gilbert. If James were to leave it would be difficult to swallow but the Cavs would still be a contender because the organization is the Class of the NBA. Shaq is a wild card but upon his departure there is a young man in Toronto that has made several statements that he would love to play with Lebron, in fact most players in the NBA want to play with this kid mostly because he is a "true" team player. If Im wrong I will eat my words but most people agree that Lebron in Cleveland is a very attractive situation for him. Oh yeah I forgot to mention with current global warming situation it is forecasted that Cleveland will soon be the new miami.

7-31-2009 @ 6:33PM

Woooman said...

The Indians organization will never get another nickle of my money after this week. If the Cleveland fans unite and boycott the "JAKE", yes , I said "THE JAKE" eventually we'll really hit Dolan in the pockets and he may be forced to sell the team to someone who knows how to manage a baseball team. After watching Victor's emotional interview on FOX 8 I almost cried. Dolan and Shapiro are idiots and I'm really tired of hearing they're old song and dance about "rebuilding the team". This has been a sad, sad week for baseball fans in Cleveland. Dick Jacobs must be turning in his grave.

7-31-2009 @ 9:01PM

yourstruly702 said...

THANK YOU CLEVELAND INDIANS MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR MAKING ME A BOSTON RED SOX FAN.

8-01-2009 @ 1:07AM

Everyone needs to boycott anything and everything to do with Larry Dolan and his team.... the gm bs excuse we are a small market team is crap.... Dick Jacobs filled the stadium and made plenty of money.... call every sponsor they have and refuse their products if they spend bucks on this screw ball owner. Any fan that pays money to see prospects play is a moron and an ass kissing corporate fool that Dolan looks to screw out of bucks.... Dolan is tied as the most hated owner in Cleveland right next to Art Model.... also fans part of the reason this continues is the media.... full of spineless carrier pigeon messages for Mark Shapiro and Dolan.... they are also planning on bringing back the ass Wedge to manage.... the guy that we all no can't manage a little league team.....Dolan came here to rape hard working Clevelanders of their hard earned bucks, while fielding a team of unwanted team prospects from other organizations..... do not watch STO and tell the Indians to shove up their you no what.... turn off 850 ESPN radio too.... they sponsor the Indians too and they are handing out excuses for the Indians....Dolan and Shapiro are bold face liars..... these moves were made so rich kid Mark Shapiro can keep his job for another 7 years of rebuilding.... copy dolans face on teeshirts and print statements against his ownership and wear them around down until he's forced to sell the team....

8-01-2009 @ 1:15AM

Mark Shapiro would trade his mother for 50 bucks.

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