The deal of the off-season was made just a few days ago, and not many people around baseball are surprised at who made it. “Dealin” Dave Dombrowski has lived up to his nickname once again by landing Chris Sale, in a deal in which he gave up some of the Red Sox biggest prospects. No one was surprised that he was the one that made the deal, but rather what he gave up to get him. Early rumors in the season last year including big time names such as Jackie Bradley Jr, Eduardo Rodriguez and even star rookie Andrew Benintendi. Instead, Dombrowski was able to steal one of the leagues best pitchers and give up absolutely zero major league experience. Four minor league prospects who may or may not turn out to be stud players in the MLB, for one of the pitching starts of the league? I'll take it. I know four prospects may seem like a lot, especially when one of them is the number one prospect in Major League Baseball, and the other tops 100+ mph consistently, but let me explain why I am not worried.
Yoan Moncada, widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, was the main piece given up for star lefty Chris Sale. However, my concerns with Moncada, make it much easier for me to see him leave Boston. Everyone has heard of rookie slumps or the “rookie wall” when a player transitions into the professional leagues and struggles early. Moncada hit this wall harder than anyone I've seen in a while. At one point, going 0-12 with 12 strikeouts, along with many fielding blunders, he seemed intimidated by the moment and not remotely close to ready. Another complaint I've had with Moncada has been his nagging injury history. It has never been anything big, but small little injuries that have seemed to keep him out longer than it should have, most recently a thumb injury which shut him down for the Arizona Fall league. There is no doubt he has the skills to be a top talent in the major leagues, but with all of these concerns, I am not too worried about letting him go.
Michael Kopech is the other prospect that some have been concerned to see him go. Kopech has been in the Red Sox organization since 2014, and has been on many teams radars after throwing a pitch clocked at 105 mph during a class A game for Salem. This type of speed is only matched by Aroldis Chapman, who just signed a 5 year, 86 million dollar contract with the Yankees just a few days ago. My problem with Kopech is his temper and personality. Known for being a hot head, he missed a portion of his season due to a broken hand suffered in a fight with a teammate. Personality aside, the kid can pitch and has big upside, but I would be lying if I said a 20 year old starter throwing over 100 mph did not concern me health wise. Throwing this fast, this much at such a young age just screams out Tommy John surgery.
I salute Dombrowski for being able to pull this trade off, and consider it the best trade the Sox have made since they were able to unload the contracts of Crawford, Becket and Gonzalez to the L.A. Dodgers in 2013.
