RED SOX LAND PORCELLO IN 4-PLAYER DEAL
The Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Rick Porcello from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and pitchers Alex Wilson and Gabe Speier.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox desperately needed to improve their starting rotation this off-season, so this is a step in the right direction. Porcello isn't an overly dominant right-hander, but he's durable, reliable and efficient. There is a lot to like here. He'll likely fill an important role as the No. 2 or 3 starter in Boston and already has experience in pressure situations--despite his relative youth (he turns 26 this month). That has appeal in the pressure cooker than is Beantown.
What does it give the Detroit Tigers
For the Tigers, they get a potential new left-fielder in Cespedes--a slugger whose value has mysteriously dropped precipitously. However, they may use Cespedes in another trade if they feel they are good enough in the outfield. Cespedes is scheduled to become a free agent after 2015. Wilson is a serviceable reliever who should compete for a spot in Detroit's bullpen during spring training. As for 19-year-old Speier, the nephew of former MLB shortstop Chris Speier, he's a raw but talented right-hander with upside. He is still several years away, though.
Fantasy impact
Porcello benefitted from pitching at Comerica Park in Detroit half the time, so he will need to negotiate Fenway Park's 'Green Monster' in left field in order to maximize success with his new team. That said, his fantasy value remains steady. Cespedes could see a boost in fantasy numbers if he sticks with the Tigers, since they boast one of the best lineups in MLB. Wilson has a bit of dark-horse appeal out of the Tigers bullpen, while Speier is now on the long-range keeper radar.
