Sep 02 2008
The Anatomy of a Trade - Gagne Trade Continues to Haunt Red Sox
New uniform, same old story, Gagne continues to disappoint. Photo: AP
Eric Gagne has been nothing short of terrible since being traded at the deadline last season from TexasBoston. On July 31st, 2007, Boston General Manager Theo Epstein traded Kason Gabbard, David Murphy and Engel Beltre to Texas. The thinking was that Gagne would be a powerful late inning reliever. The facts were the opposite however, he went 2-2 with a 6.75 era including allowing 14 runs in his first 14 innings. He was used in garbage time only in the playoffs, except for the 11th inning of Game 2 of the ALCS, where he came in with a tie and took the loss. to
Although Gagne is no longer with the Sox, the aftereffects of the trade have still taken their toll on Boston. Gabbard, the most heralded of the three in the trade, has actually had the least impact. He struggled in 56 innings before being put on the 60-day DL with elbow inflammation. Murphy was outstanding before being put on the disabled list in August. He hit .275 with 15 HR and 74 rbi. Beltre is perhaps the part of the trade Boston regrets most, he has developed into one of the top prospects in baseball, hitting .284 with 31 steals and 8 HR in the minor leagues. Still just 18 years old he came into 2008 as the 10th ranked player in Texas’ system, his play this season and his development and age are going to have him in the top three of that ranking going into next season.
Losing these two potential star outfielders is magnified even more with the loss of JD Drew to the disabled list. No doubt a player like Murphy would be welcomed at this point. There would have been no need to acquire Mark Kotsay from the Braves as a rental type player. While Gagne has been horrible with Milwaukee, losing yesterday’s game by allowing a Carlos Delgado 8th inning HR, his negative impact on the Red Sox is yet to be determined. As Beltre develops, this trade will look more and more lopsided.
