In a move that went against what they've done in past years, the Red Sox refused to chase a major name at the trade deadline. Instead, they made some small moves that adressed their major needs, giving them room to make more deals through the waiver wire. While this conservative approach definitely helps the team for the long term, it doesn't exactly guarantee a second half push for the playoffs.
In a pair of separate deals the Sox acquired catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (pictured above) from the Rangers, as well as reliever prospect Daniel Turpen from the Giants. San Francisco got the disappointing Ramon Ramirez, while Texas took home a pair of low-level prospects in return for Saltalamacchia. This shouldn't sound like encouraging news to Boston fans. This is hardly the upgrade that the team's bullpen sorely needs.
However, Theo Epstein has made the decision, for better or worse, that the best way to solve the team's relief issues is to do it internally. Part of that equation involves, Michael Bowden. The former starting prospect has been shifted into a bullpen role this season and excelled. He was called up for a brief period of time already this season, but didn't stick because of other roster considerations.
In addition to Bowden's imminent arrival, the Sox also plan to convert Felix Doubront into a reliever in order to help alleviate the problem. Doubront was 1-2 in three starts with the big league club sporting a 4.11 earned run average. Doubront's only 22 years old and projects as a solid rotation pitcher in the long term. Shifting his role for the first time in his career should prove a tough adjustment, but it will also limit Doubront's innings while making sure they are of maximum importance.
The lefty likely won't appear back in the majors for at least a few weeks. Doubront needs time in order to make the switch and probably won't be back with the team until the roster expansion in September. Other than the internal solutions, Turpen is an option to be brought up as well. Roster spots could be vacated as Jeremy Hermida was designated for assignment and appears destined for the waiver wire and Mike Lowell might not be far behind. Meanwhile, Saltalamacchia provides a slightly better option as a backup catcher, one that will provide the offensive punch that Kevin Cash lacks.
Only time will tell if the general manager's decision is the right one. Certainly, he feels confident that he made the best he could based on what other teams were asking. He also received a small piece of vindication when outfield prospect Ryan Kalish played a pair of excellent games over the weekend, when his name was one that likely would've fetched a solid reliever in return. Instead, Epstein chose to use some of the young bullets he's already got while buying himself some time in the process.
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