Wnids Of Change, Already, For The Boston Red Sox!

The Boston Red Sox have acquired 25-year-old left-handed hitter and outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for LHPs Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. Talk about quick work! They envision him to be the fourth outfielder. Marlins GM Larry Beinfest had this to say about Hermida...

"He had a lot of opportunity here. We wish him well. ... I think that goes with a lot of first-round picks. Our expectations were high for Jeremy. He had his moments where he was highly productive, like the second half of ’07. But, given his talent level, I think the expectation was for more. Hopefully he’ll realize his potential elsewhere.”

And here's OUR GM, Theo Epstein, on the whys of Hermida...

“Hermida’s the kind of player who hasn’t fulfilled his potential yet,” Epstein said. “We acquired him for a reasonable cost to see if he can fulfill his potential for us. There’s a chance that he can turn into the player he was once thought to be. He’s about to turn 26, he’s about to turn into his prime years. Sometimes it makes sense to do deals like that at something we deemed to be a very reasonable cost.”

He has a career average of .265 and earned 56 walks last season with 13 taters and 47 RBIs in only 129 games. He's no replacement for Bay but as a fourth outfielder, he might become invaluable. We hope he'll do well wherever in the outfield he might play. I'll tell you one thing...Boston will be intently looking for a starting left fielder. Jason Bay has filed for free agency (no surprise) as well as Billy Wagner (we knew he was leaving to find a club that needs a closer) and the oft injured Rocco Baldelli. Bay's possible (probable) absence induced the Red Sox to successfully acquire Hermida. I like this very early post-season move by Theo and company. I really do. I do not think Boston will meet Jason Bay's wishes in terms of years on his contract. He wants 4 or 5...Boston would gladly opt for three...tops. It's a long fall and winter until we reach the spring warmth and the sound of the round ball hitting the catcher's mitt. I'll be here every step of the way, God willing, I assure you. Have a great Friday and I'll type to you tomorrow morning, if not before. As always, BE WELL. Thanks...your comments are always welcome and ALWAYS answered. That's a promise.