Sat, Aug 25, 2012 at 5:15pm

BOSOX BLOW IT UP: A-GONZ TO L.A.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, pitcher Josh Beckett, outfielder Carl Crawford, infielder Nick Punto and cash from the Boston Red Sox for first baseman James Loney, pitcher Allen Webster, infielder Ivan DeJesus and two players to be named later.

What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
All three veterans the Dodgers get here are in their early 30's, so clearly the Dodgers are in 'win-now' mode. Crawford won't help them do that right away, as he's expected to be out until next season (at the earliest) recovering from recent Tommy John surgery. Gonzalez is the prize of the deal, arguably the best-hitting first baseman in the majors after {P Albert Pujols} and {P Joey Votto}, and a massive upgrade at first base over the departing Loney. It's tough to say which Beckett the Dodgers will get (the clutch Cy Young contender, or the frustrating above-5.00 ERA guy) but pitching in L.A.'s big park should help him. Punto is seen by many as a throw-in here but he can help the Dodgers with his glove off the bench. Earlier trades for {P Hanley Ramirez} and others are added reminders that L.A.'s new management wants a contender right away, but Crawford, Beckett and their price tags make this a somewhat risky swap for the Dodgers (even though they do get a reported $11-12 million in the deal to help pay for the salaries).

What does it give the Boston Red Sox
Adjusting from the Theo Epstein-Terry Francona regime has been hard for Boston this year, but this should ensure they're putting it behind them. Above all the Red Sox are dumping a truly massive amount of salary here--roughly $250 million in commitments through 2018--and they're getting rid of three regulars to do it. Loney is the only player they receive in return likely to help out now, and he has been a disappointment for much of his career so far (and his contract expires after this season, so he may not be brought back for 2013). One of the players expected 'to be named' joining the BoSox is 1B/OF {P Jerry Sands}, who has a lot of power in his bat and may push for the first base or left field job eventually. Meanwhile the pitcher expected to be named is fireballing righty {P=9013 Rubby De La Rosa} (who is coming off Tommy John surgery but may be available soon). De La Rosa has star potential but needs to find both health and the right role in Boston. Webster is a solid pitching prospect (also a righty) having a good year at Double-A, and DeJesus is a utility infielder type who may eventually be a regular off the bench. Bottom line: the BoSox lose a lot of talent here to free up a lot of money, so how they ultimately make out in the long run obviously depends on what they do in the next couple of off-seasons with the money they're saving.

Fantasy impact
In Boston the biggest immediate fantasy beneficiary in this deal is {P Mauro Gomez}; he started at first base for the Red Sox in their first post-Gonzalez game and had four hits (including a home run). Expect lefty Loney to platoon with righty Gomez early on, with Sands eventually possibly pushing them both. Crawford was already out of left field due to his injury, so look for the aged {P Scott Podsednik} to keep holding down that spot along with {P Daniel Nava} (and leading off now that {P Jacoby Ellsbury} moves to the middle of the order to replace Gonzalez there). As for the Red Sox starting rotation, {P Felix Doubront} is expected to return soon from a knee problem, which will give him Beckett's usual turn in the rotation. On the Dodgers side of this deal, Gonzalez takes a lot of pressure off {P Matt Kemp} and {P Hanley Ramirez} hitting in the heart of L.A.'s order, and he should be an MVP candidate for years to come. Crawford is expected to be healed up for 2013 and fills a need in left field (since {P Shane Victorino} may not return when his contract expires after this season). Beckett's arrival is more timely, since {P Chad Billingsley} recently got placed on the 15-day DL due to an inflamed right / throwing elbow.