Sox Trade Julio Lugo for Chris Duncan

Yesterday the Red Sox traded short stop Julio Lugo to the St. Louis Cardinals. Wow, do you realize I have been waiting to hear those words for three years? In exchange for Lugo the Red Sox were somehow able to get the Cardinals to deal Chris Duncan. Wait, were we not ready to trade Lugo for a bag of batting practice baseballs a week ago and this week were getting an outfielder capable of hitting 20+ homeruns who is also only 28 years old and has three years left of team control? For anyone who questions the job that Theo Epstein does seriously needs to take a closer look at this. Yes, the Sox did have to pay Lugo’s contract but they have just picked a 28 year old outfielder for FREE. This guy is eligible for arbitration for the next three seasons and given his bleak amount of playing time this season he is not exactly in line for a pay increase.

Now on to the facts and enough about my own excitement, Duncan who was boxed out by the recent emergence of Colby Rasmus hit more than 20 homeruns in both 2006 and 2007. What makes that even more impressive is that he did it without playing over 107 games in either season, because of his limited role. While Duncan is sure to spend sometime in the Minors in order to adjust his timing and that mere fact that Red Sox have no room on their current roster they have just improved their bench for seasons to come with a left handed power hitter who can play the outfield and a little of first base. He will most likely be looked upon to fill Adam LaRoche’s role next season after he leaves in free agency. This also provides you with insurance for the fragile J.D. Drew and Rocco Baldelli who are currently patrolling your right field and 4th outfielder spots. Despite not playing daily he has managed to create an average of 23 homeruns and 73 runs batted in on average for a 162 game season and has in fact been used to protect Albert Pujols in the past.

As for Lugo, goodbye, farewell, sayonara, au revoir, adios, and get the hell out of here.