Red Sox get more than salary relief in deal with Dodgers

Right-hander Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster helped give the Red Sox more than just salary relief in the deal with the Dodgers.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Aug 25, 2012 at 12:02 am ET • 2 min read

Rubby De La Rosa had Tommy John surgery in 2011. (US Presswire)

For the Red Sox, Friday's megadeal with the Dodgers was more about what they gave up than what they received -- but that doesn't mean they didn't get anything in the nine-player trade.

Of the five players Boston acquired, four are still young enough that they're pre-arbitration eligible, while the fifth, first baseman James Loney, is a free agent after the season and can fill in at first base through the end of the season.

The key for the Red Sox were the four young players they acquired, two right-handed pitchers and two role players:

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RHP Ruby De La Rosa: The 23-year-old had Tommy John surgery last year, but earlier this week made his first big league appearance since the surgery. De La Rosa appeared in 13 games last season, starting 10. He was 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA. He impressed with his fastball that averaged 95 mph and topped out at 100 mph. There is some risk because of his injury history and his 5-foot-11 frame, but the risk is certainly worth the gamble.

RHP Allen Webster: Webster was rated the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers' system by Baseball America before the season. A 22-year-old, Webster is 6-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 27 games and 22 starts at Double-A Chattanooga. He has 117 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings for the Lookouts, but did have 57 hits and a 1.455 WHIP. He has the potential to be a middle of the rotation starter and his groundball tendencies are good for Fenway Park.

INF Ivan De Jesus Jr.: The son of former big leaguer Ivan de Jesus has made 72 plate appearances in the last two seasons for the Dodogers, hitting .231/.282/.277. This season he has nine hits in 33 at-bats (.273) with three doubles. At Triple-A Alburquerque, De Jesus is hitting .295/.333/415 with three home runs and 33 RBI and played five different positions. A second baseman by trade, he's played shortstop, third base and the corner outfield spots in addition to second.

1B/OF Jerry Sands: The 24-year-old has hit .244/.325/.376 with four home runs in 251 career big-league at-bats. He's played in just nine games in LA this season after playing in 61 last season. He's hitting .303/.380/.531 with 24 home runs and 101 RBI in Triple-A.

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