Red Sox Trade Matt Albers, Scott Podsednik for Craig Breslow

By Matthew Bond in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ July 31, 2012 at 5:22pm ⋅ Post a comment

The 4 pm ET non-waiver trading deadline has come and gone, and it appears the Boston Red Sox are not hardcore buyers or sellers. The team made just a couple moves on the final day in which teams can make trades, sending both reliever Matt Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks for left-handed reliever Craig Breslow.

Breslow Back in Boston

If the name is familiar, it’s because Breslow pitched in 13 games for the Red Sox in 2006, and has bounced around the major leagues ever since. This year with the Diamondbacks, Breslow is 2-0 in 40 games in relief, logging 43.1 innings. His role with the Red Sox will be an impact left-handed reliever out of the bullpen, potentially replacing Franklin Morales, who could head back into the starting rotation.

The acquisition hardly puts the Red Sox over the top by any means, but by not trading away key pieces like Josh Beckett or Jarrod Saltalamacchia as rumored, the team still has a fair chance to compete for a wild card spot this season. The rotation may now look stronger given the success of Morales, along with Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Felix Doubront. The odd-man out is Aaron Cook, who could be put through waivers or sent to the bullpen or minor leagues.

Other Deadline Deals

Around the major leagues, teams made more significant moves at the deadline. The Texas Rangers traded for pitcher Ryan Dempster at the last minute from the Chicago Cubs, boosting the Rangers’ rotation. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants each acquired a Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, with Shane Victorino heading for L.A. and Hunter Pence traveling to San Francisco.

The rival Yankees traded for corner infielder Casey McGehee, who will play first base short term for the injured Mark Teixeira and third base longterm for Alex Rodriguez, who is on the disabled list with a broken hand.

The Red Sox were relatively quiet at the deadline despite plenty of hype about the team making a move. It was surprising to see them not dealing backup catcher Kelly Shoppach, with the minor league success of Ryan Lavarnway, who could have been called up to work behind Saltalamacchia.

It should be interesting to see how Breslow changes the look of the Sox roster, as Morales appears to be headed for the rotation, while Albers and Podsednik find new roles with Arizona.

Tags: Aaron Cook, Alex Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Casey McGehee, Craig Breslow, Franklin Morales, Hunter Pence, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Josh Beckett, Kelly Shoppach, Lars Anderson, Mark Teixeira, Matt Albers, Ryan Dempster, Scott Podsednik, Shane Victorino