Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow seems to have found a trading partner he likes in the St. Louis Cardinals.
This budding relationship kicked off at the trade deadline when Breslow pulled off what many consider his best move yet, sending top infield prospect Blaze Jordan to the Cardinals in exchange for reliever Steven Matz. That was just the beginning.
In a bid to bolster their roster with seasoned talent, the Red Sox brought in Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras during the winter. These acquisitions aim to inject some veteran presence into Boston's rotation and infield, and early signs suggest both players are settling in nicely. With Opening Day around the corner, Contreras and Gray are poised to make an impact right from the start.
On the flip side, the young arms Boston sent to St. Louis, Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins, won't be making immediate waves in the majors.
Fitts was part of the deal for Gray, while Dobbins went in the Contreras trade. Both pitchers are waiting for their shot, with Fitts heading to the minors and Dobbins starting the season on the injured list.
Richard Fitts, who had been bouncing between the majors and minors with Boston, showed promise during spring training with the Cardinals. Over 9.1 innings, he allowed six runs on nine hits, struck out nine, and walked three.
Despite his efforts, the Cardinals opted for Andre Pallante to fill the last rotation spot, thanks to his impressive 2.57 ERA over 14 innings this spring. Fitts, however, is likely to get his chance soon.
As for Hunter Dobbins, Red Sox fans might recall his unfortunate ACL tear last July while covering first base. After surgery, he's been working on his recovery, building arm strength even as his mobility remains limited. It's a testament to his determination that he's progressing well, considering the severity of his injury.
These trades reflect Boston's strategy to enhance their roster immediately, while the Cardinals look to the future. As Contreras and Gray make their mark in Boston, Fitts and Dobbins will continue to develop, eager to make their presence felt in St. Louis.