While most New Englanders were sleeping, Theo Epstein was getting his man.
That man was, of course, Adrian Gonzalez, the power-hitting first baseman who was traded to the Red Sox over the weekend. In doing so, he and the Red Sox made a bold statement to the Yankees and the rest of the American League: Look out.

While one player does not make up a championship team, players like Gonzalez are a rare breed, and adding them to a team changes the entire makeup of the lineup. He'll turn 29 years old in May, and he's already a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner, and he's averaged 34 home runs per season over the past four years.

Obviously, there's a lot to be excited about.

While most New Englanders were sleeping, Theo Epstein was getting his man.
That man was, of course, Adrian Gonzalez, the power-hitting first baseman who was traded to the Red Sox over the weekend. In doing so, he and the Red Sox made a bold statement to the Yankees and the rest of the American League: Look out.

While one player does not make up a championship team, players like Gonzalez are a rare breed, and adding them to a team changes the entire makeup of the lineup. He'll turn 29 years old in May, and he's already a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner, and he's averaged 34 home runs per season over the past four years.

Obviously, there's a lot to be excited about.

When the Red Sox seemed relatively satisfied with losing Victor Martinez and were not necessarily at the forefront of the Adrian Beltre sweepstakes, it almost appeared as if there was a tad degree of complacency. That was never the case, of course. The wheels were turning in a major way and on Saturday they may have done enough to race the club to the top of the American League East.
By agreeing in principle to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres, the Red Sox have pre-empted the upcoming winter meetings with the biggest move of the offseason, and one that could remain the biggest move in baseball all the way to April.
It is the culmination of a flirtation of more than a year between Boston general manager Theo Epstein and the Padres superstar, whose general manager Jed Hoyer has indicated would be impossible to retain in San Diego’s low-priced future.
Rumors fly rampant in baseball unlike any other sport, but because of Hoyer’s contention and the fact that Gonzalez would be such a perfect fit in Boston, where Kevin Youkilis can seamlessly slide to third base and where the new first baseman can get the long-term deal he wants, this one always had legs. On Saturday, those legs have apparently reached the finish line. Finally.
When the deal is done a handful of top prospects, including promising right-hander Casey Kelly, likely will be headed to San Diego. Unless Epstein cleaned the closet with every name Hoyer threw out there, it will be worth it, at least on paper.
Gonzalez has averaged a .288 mark, 32 homers and 100 RBIs in five years in San Diego, where half his games are played in spacious, pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His career OPS at home is .800. It is .943 on the road. If trends hold true this is potentially a monster presence in the middle of the Red Sox’ lineup for years to come, a la Manny Ramirez when he came in 2003 and helped alter the franchise’s path.
With all due respect to Beltre and Martinez, questions surrounded both as to whether they would indeed be monster presences in the middle of that lineup for years to come, Beltre due to the fact that his remarkable year in some ways came out of nowhere and Martinez due to his advancing age as a catcher.
Gonzalez brings with him few question marks, provided the shoulder surgery that will keep him on the sidelines until March or even April is not an issue down the road. He is a fan favorite in San Diego not just for his production and the fact that he grew up in the area, but also for his understanding of the intangibles. He is always prepared, plays his position very well, almost never misses a game and is adored the clubhouse. Gonzalez’s demeanor will suit him just fine in Fenway Park, where fans have been pining for him for months.
This obviously just about rules out any return of Beltre and when he signs elsewhere the Red Sox will receive at least one more top draft pick, potentially two. Group those with the two they received when Detroit took on Martinez and the supplemental pick they will get if and when Felipe Lopez finds a potential suitor and you have a pretty decent haul on your hands. Even if the Red Sox still bring in someone like Jayson Werth to play left field -- a move which remains a distinct possibility -- and they are forced to cough up a draft choice they will come out on the plus side, loaded with picks entering a loaded draft.
That’s what makes the loss of a guy like Kelly that much easier to take. The 21-year-old showed enough in 2010 for the organization to still think the world of him, but he had enough bumps in the road and statistical issues to suggest that he may be at least two years away from being on the major league radar.
The upcoming draft figures to be well-stocked with college pitching, meaning several hurlers that are Kelly’s age or older and relatively advanced skills-wise will be available when Boston uses up its multiple picks in the first two rounds. Essentially, the losses in the Gonzalez trade can be rectified in a year’s time.
At least that’s the hope on Epstein’s part. It’s a reasonable one.
In the meantime, the Red Sox have potentially shifted the balance of power in the American League East by getting the kind of guy they wanted two offseasons ago. Remember? Mark Teixeira? Epstein and his crew were on the verge of signing the standout first baseman to a long-term deal, only to be outbid at the last moment by the Yankees and watching New York steamroll to a World Series title in Teixeira’s first year.
There were no concerns of a New York coup this time. Boston had the prospects, Hoyer had the interest, Epstein had the love affair and Gonzalez had a clock ticking away his time in San Diego and a need to find a home where he can win and get paid. Finally, it all merged into one blockbuster trade.
How’s that for complacency?

When the Red Sox seemed relatively satisfied with losing Victor Martinez and were not necessarily at the forefront of the Adrian Beltre sweepstakes, it almost appeared as if there was a tad degree of complacency. That was never the case, of course. The wheels were turning in a major way and on Saturday they may have done enough to race the club to the top of the American League East.
By agreeing in principle to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres, the Red Sox have pre-empted the upcoming winter meetings with the biggest move of the offseason, and one that could remain the biggest move in baseball all the way to April.
It is the culmination of a flirtation of more than a year between Boston general manager Theo Epstein and the Padres superstar, whose general manager Jed Hoyer has indicated would be impossible to retain in San Diego’s low-priced future.
Rumors fly rampant in baseball unlike any other sport, but because of Hoyer’s contention and the fact that Gonzalez would be such a perfect fit in Boston, where Kevin Youkilis can seamlessly slide to third base and where the new first baseman can get the long-term deal he wants, this one always had legs. On Saturday, those legs have apparently reached the finish line. Finally.
When the deal is done a handful of top prospects, including promising right-hander Casey Kelly, likely will be headed to San Diego. Unless Epstein cleaned the closet with every name Hoyer threw out there, it will be worth it, at least on paper.
Gonzalez has averaged a .288 mark, 32 homers and 100 RBIs in five years in San Diego, where half his games are played in spacious, pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His career OPS at home is .800. It is .943 on the road. If trends hold true this is potentially a monster presence in the middle of the Red Sox’ lineup for years to come, a la Manny Ramirez when he came in 2003 and helped alter the franchise’s path.
With all due respect to Beltre and Martinez, questions surrounded both as to whether they would indeed be monster presences in the middle of that lineup for years to come, Beltre due to the fact that his remarkable year in some ways came out of nowhere and Martinez due to his advancing age as a catcher.
Gonzalez brings with him few question marks, provided the shoulder surgery that will keep him on the sidelines until March or even April is not an issue down the road. He is a fan favorite in San Diego not just for his production and the fact that he grew up in the area, but also for his understanding of the intangibles. He is always prepared, plays his position very well, almost never misses a game and is adored the clubhouse. Gonzalez’s demeanor will suit him just fine in Fenway Park, where fans have been pining for him for months.
This obviously just about rules out any return of Beltre and when he signs elsewhere the Red Sox will receive at least one more top draft pick, potentially two. Group those with the two they received when Detroit took on Martinez and the supplemental pick they will get if and when Felipe Lopez finds a potential suitor and you have a pretty decent haul on your hands. Even if the Red Sox still bring in someone like Jayson Werth to play left field -- a move which remains a distinct possibility -- and they are forced to cough up a draft choice they will come out on the plus side, loaded with picks entering a loaded draft.
That’s what makes the loss of a guy like Kelly that much easier to take. The 21-year-old showed enough in 2010 for the organization to still think the world of him, but he had enough bumps in the road and statistical issues to suggest that he may be at least two years away from being on the major league radar.
The upcoming draft figures to be well-stocked with college pitching, meaning several hurlers that are Kelly’s age or older and relatively advanced skills-wise will be available when Boston uses up its multiple picks in the first two rounds. Essentially, the losses in the Gonzalez trade can be rectified in a year’s time.
At least that’s the hope on Epstein’s part. It’s a reasonable one.
In the meantime, the Red Sox have potentially shifted the balance of power in the American League East by getting the kind of guy they wanted two offseasons ago. Remember? Mark Teixeira? Epstein and his crew were on the verge of signing the standout first baseman to a long-term deal, only to be outbid at the last moment by the Yankees and watching New York steamroll to a World Series title in Teixeira’s first year.
There were no concerns of a New York coup this time. Boston had the prospects, Hoyer had the interest, Epstein had the love affair and Gonzalez had a clock ticking away his time in San Diego and a need to find a home where he can win and get paid. Finally, it all merged into one blockbuster trade.
How’s that for complacency?

Bobby Gonzalez may be headed back to a court. Just not the basketball kind. The Millburn (N.J.) Police Department charged the former Seton Hall coach with shoplifting and criminal mischief Monday for the alleged theft of a $1,395 men's satchel from the Polo Ralph Lauren store in the Short Hills Mall. The police say the satchel was taken out of the store June 29, but Gerry Krovatin, Mr. Gonzalez's attorney, said the incident was "a misunderstanding and a series of miscommunications." Mr. Gonzalez, who also formerly coached Manhattan, was fired in March, the day after one of his Seton Hall players was ejected from what would be the Pirates' last game of the season for punching an opposing player below the belt. The coach himself was assessed his seventh technical foul of the year for arguing. He is suing the university, alleging breach of contract.

—Aditi Kinkhabwala
Cano Gets a Chance To Take His Hacks
In the midst of a breakout season, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano will participate in the home-run derby for the first time. Mr. Cano was tied for 10th in the American League with 16 home runs going into Tuesday's game against the Athletics. He'll compete next week, a day before the All-Star Game, against Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, Boston's David Ortiz, Toronto's Vernon Wells, Milwaukee's Corey Hart, St. Louis's Matt Holliday and two other players who have yet to be announced.

—Brian Costa
'Get Off My Mound' Proves Popular
The Yankees had some fun with the Alex Rodriguez-Dallas Braden saga Monday when players gathered in the trainer's room in the visiting clubhouse at the Oakland Coliseum. When Mr. Rodriguez walked in, Robinson Cano emerged wearing a "Get Off My Mound" T-shirt. The ensuing laughter could be heard throughout the clubhouse. The Athletics started selling the shirts recently to cash in on the ballyhooed feud between the Yankees third baseman and the Oakland pitcher, though Mr. Braden told reporters he objected to the shirts. Mr. Rodriguez was more amused by them, saying, "I hope I get a cut" of the profits.

Bobby Gonzalez may be headed back to a court. Just not the basketball kind. The Millburn (N.J.) Police Department charged the former Seton Hall coach with shoplifting and criminal mischief Monday for the alleged theft of a $1,395 men's satchel from the Polo Ralph Lauren store in the Short Hills Mall. The police say the satchel was taken out of the store June 29, but Gerry Krovatin, Mr. Gonzalez's attorney, said the incident was "a misunderstanding and a series of miscommunications." Mr. Gonzalez, who also formerly coached Manhattan, was fired in March, the day after one of his Seton Hall players was ejected from what would be the Pirates' last game of the season for punching an opposing player below the belt. The coach himself was assessed his seventh technical foul of the year for arguing. He is suing the university, alleging breach of contract.

—Aditi Kinkhabwala
Cano Gets a Chance To Take His Hacks
In the midst of a breakout season, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano will participate in the home-run derby for the first time. Mr. Cano was tied for 10th in the American League with 16 home runs going into Tuesday's game against the Athletics. He'll compete next week, a day before the All-Star Game, against Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, Boston's David Ortiz, Toronto's Vernon Wells, Milwaukee's Corey Hart, St. Louis's Matt Holliday and two other players who have yet to be announced.

—Brian Costa
'Get Off My Mound' Proves Popular
The Yankees had some fun with the Alex Rodriguez-Dallas Braden saga Monday when players gathered in the trainer's room in the visiting clubhouse at the Oakland Coliseum. When Mr. Rodriguez walked in, Robinson Cano emerged wearing a "Get Off My Mound" T-shirt. The ensuing laughter could be heard throughout the clubhouse. The Athletics started selling the shirts recently to cash in on the ballyhooed feud between the Yankees third baseman and the Oakland pitcher, though Mr. Braden told reporters he objected to the shirts. Mr. Rodriguez was more amused by them, saying, "I hope I get a cut" of the profits.