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Red Sox shore up outfield, get Kotsay from Braves
The Red Sox acquired Kotsay for minor-league outfielder Luis Sumoza, a mid-level prospect.
To complete the deal, Kotsay waived his no-trade clause for the Red Sox, one of eight teams on his no-trade list according to his contract.
Kotsay will receive a $325,000 assignment bonus for waiving his no-trade protection.
Kotsay was drawing interest from the Phillies, too, according to major-league sources.
Both teams are dealing with injuries to left-handed hitting outfielders.
The Red Sox on Tuesday placed right fielder J.D. Drew on the disabled list. Drew, suffering from a back problem, had missed Boston's previous six games.
Kotsay was scratched from Tuesday night's starting lineup, raising speculation that a trade was pending. Kotsay then pinch hit and walked in the ninth inning.
"I'd have to say it's my weirdest night as a professional in the big leagues," Kotsay said after the game. "I've never been scratched for that type of reason.
"I knew there was a possibility, so it wasn't a complete shock when I got called in and was told I would be scratched from the lineup due to precautionary reasons. The club was in discussions for possibly moving me."
Kotsay thought ahead to possibly joining the Red Sox.
"If that's the case, if I'm moved to a club that has postseason possibilities, you can't be disappointed as a player," he said. "I've had a lot of fun here and I've been happy with Bobby (Cox) and the organization."
The Red Sox's attempt to acquire the Padres' Brian Giles, another left-handed hitting outfielder, collapsed earlier this month when Giles invoked his no-trade clause to Boston.
Kotsay, who turns 33 on Dec. 2, has been hot in August, posting an .856 on-base/slugging percentage, his highest of any month this season.
"He's going to be a great addition. He's one of those leader-type guys," Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett said.
Boston assumes the balance of his $8 million salary, which would amount to slightly more than $1.5 million.
The Braves did not plan to offer salary arbitration to Kotsay, who is a free agent at the end of the season.
Kotsay missed all of June due to a lower back strain, but since then has appeared in 40 of the Braves' 48 games.
For the season, he is batting .289 with a .338 on-base percentage, six home runs and 37 RBIs in 344 plate appearances.
To make room for Kotsay on the roster, Boston designated infielder-outfielder Joe Thurston for assignment. Thurston was called up Tuesday from Triple-A Pawtucket.
The 20-year-old Sumoza hit .301 in 51 games for Class A Lowell of the New York-Penn League this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Member Comments
KyDoom3,<br /> Posada is o Tek. Tek is the best defensive catcher and the best ever in calling a Game. The stinlees got Pudge who is far more better than posada. Posada i the most overrated catcher like any other stinkee
SOX_WIN8/30/2008 14:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Who cares! Just saw him appear on the FREE and HOT WEALTHY&BEAUTY dating site <br /><br />+++RichMatchMaking .c 0m<br /><br />His blog is very hot there. Most of viewers are hot girls and ball lovers.
bluejeerr8/28/2008 17:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
If any of you see my wayward son (aka BahstonSux) please give him a piece of government cheese and send him home.
NYYDudes_Dad8/28/2008 16:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
OMG, agreed about Okajima, Skavoovied. I was really hoping it would be Masterson. Oh, well, it's still baseball, end of summer....
juli54green8/28/2008 15:33:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
and i think thats the biggest reason that some of their young prospects (Hughes, Cano for example) were a small disappointment this year. Which, in turn, makes their farm system look worse than it is. Plus, a big with the young pitching talent is: how much better would those guys be if Posada was behind the plate day in and day out. Just like Varitek with the Sox young staff. I think Posada behind the plate would have made a big difference in the Yanks pitching staff.
KyDoom38/28/2008 15:14:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I couldnt agree more. Im just saying my statement wasnt false. I mean, its hard to expect the young talent to produce when the veterans cant set the example and pull there weight.
KyDoom38/28/2008 15:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Kotsay could have been the hero with a hit with two men on early in that game (the 6th maybe?)<br /><br />Tough break for Lester. <br /><br />NEVER let Okie pitch with runners on. He stinks.<br /><br />Good road trip to NY, regardless. I'll take 2 of 3 down there any day.<br /><br />Go Sox!
skavoovied8/28/2008 13:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yeah, not sure if I like kotsay. WTH, Okajima lost that &*%$#$ game for us.
juli54green8/28/2008 13:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
NYYDude;<br /><br />I know you're really BahstonSux, why have you been hiding from me, Bunny Lips?
Hot_Yankee_Momma8/28/2008 11:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
One more thing.....to anyone that accuses another team, any team, of "buying thier title".......wake up dip s*#@s, it's pro sports, every team "buys" thier titles. It's a lame argument, from jealous losers.
sanity_reigns8/28/2008 11:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
As a matter of fact the Yankees have out-spent the rest of the league in regards to thier team salary, by close to 70 million
sanity_reigns8/28/2008 11:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
NYY:<br /><br />I was thinking about how you said yesterday i was making false statements. I said "use there farm system" and you said thats not having players that come in and make an immediate impact. Is that not what a farm system is for? There isnt a team out there that wants to call a player up and wait 3 months for him to develop. The entire point of a farm system is to develop your players so that when they are called up they can make that immediate impact and help their team. Are they not the same thing? Please, explain to me, since i obviously dont know, if thats not what "using their farm sytem" means, what does it mean?
KyDoom38/28/2008 10:58:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Did a Yankee's fan just say "buy that title" in regard to the Red Sox ?!?! WOW! What an ignorant comment. Excuse me, but aren't the Yankees the team with the highest payroll? The team that started the MLB arms race that has forced Boston to spend more just to compete? The Yanks have "bought" more title than anyone and now that they're tanking it looks like we have a little bit of jealousy spilling from their fan ranks! That's classic Dude!
ApolloFoucard8/28/2008 10:46:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Interesting trade. Kotsay certainly is no Drew, but it gives them a solid LH hitting OF. Im just wondering, though, why would Brian Giles, who had a chance to escape the bottom feeders that the Padres have become to come to a contender like Boston, why he would reject a trade? If it were me, Id be on the first plane to Boston!
mikeCubbie698/28/2008 10:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Buy that title? It's called being pro-active and adding depth you stupid donkey.
sully2288/28/2008 9:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Indeed. Getting a third-string catcher, a fourth outfielder, and a fifth starter is the essence of buying a championship.
poeticadam8/28/2008 9:03:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
GRAND SLAM, PEDROIA!!!!<br /><br /><br />Game, set, match for the Yankees' season.
heartlandhoward8/27/2008 18:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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