A. Gonzalez traded to Boston

[HollywoodLeo]

Sox acquire Alex Gonzalez - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

The Red Sox have completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, bringing shortstop Alex Gonzalez back to Boston.

Gonzalez is not expected to join the team until tomorrow in Texas, according to his agent, Eric Goldshmidt. The most likely move would involve the Sox releasing infielder Chris Woodward to make room for Gonzalez on the roster.

Gonzalez, as Red Sox fans will recall, is an excellent defensive player who should shore up the team's defense on the left side of the infield. His contract calls for a $6 million club option next season, meaning the Sox will have the right to retain to his services.

It was unclear whom the Sox are sending to Cincinnati in exchange for Gonzalez. We hope to have more on on this shortly.

[DirtyKash]

How many freakin' infielders does Boston need? Gee whiz.

[bipster]

Cincinnati Enquirer reports that INF Kris Negron is being sent to the Reds from the Sox

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[missionhockey21]

Gonzalez was a class act. The Reds should have never gave him the contract he received and his frequent injuries certainly didn't help his value. But he was a great guy in the clubhouse and technically, even though his athletic skills have diminished some, he is about as good as you can get at SS... he just knows that position. I tend to think he will be better next season, not like that's hard, but his swing is just atrocious right now. For what the Red Sox need, infield defensive depth, he'll be a great help.

As for Negron, he seems like a prospect who might be someone to look forward to... IF he can hit. He can get on base at a decent clip, but he lacks power and struggles to make contact consistently. But he has great speed and range in the field. For what I expected as a return for Gonzalez, its a fine return.

[cjkalt]

Don't wanna ruin the party but having seeing Negron, there is no way he'll ever hit at the MLB level... he'd need like 2 taking this hitting to the next levels to have a shot

[missionhockey21]

What party? I said he has no power and struggles to make contact. I am not exactly billing him as the next Alex Rodriguez. He's a C- prospect.

[cjkalt]

I stopped after IF he can hit... I think C- might be a little harsh... prolly C or C+

[missionhockey21]

He's a little old for the level of play he is at right now so I am dinged him for that. Now if he was 19 or 20, I'd rate him higher and be a bit more optimistic of him figuring out that whole hitting thing.