In a stunning turn of events, the Boston Red Sox have reunited with Jon Lester. The Red Sox traded prospects Mookie Betts, Henry Owens and Blake Swihart to the Chicago Cubs to bring back their ace left hander that departed last July. Red Sox general manager Ben Cherrington was ecstatic. "We tried very hard to get Jon back in the off-season and I'm pleased that we were able to do it now." Red Sox owner John Henry was equally pleased. "Jon is a great pitcher and we need great pitchers."
The only one who didn't seem to be amused was co-owner Larry Lucchino. The drawback of getting Lester was sacrificing the three prospects that would have made Pawtucket the top farm team in baseball. Lucchino was quoted to saying "I'm not sure sacrificing is our future for a 30+ year old pitcher is the best idea. We have to be thinking about the Provid....err I mean Pawtucket Red Sox don't we?"
Chicago Cubs general manager Theo Epstein was also all smiles. The Cubs haven't won a World Series in 107 years but he's confident that drought is about to end. "It was the right move to make. Lester by himself wouldn't have been able to take us to the promised land but Owens along with Swihart and Betts will get the job done." Swihart will be mentored by former Red Sox catcher David Ross. "I saw Blake in Pawtucket and now I'm honored to be working with him again. He'll be a star for years." Swihart will join Betts, Anthony Rizzo and a host of other young players that will impact the Cubs for years.
For the Red Sox, the loss of Betts means the outfield picture is a little more clear. It looks like Hanley Ramirez in left field, Rusney Castillo in center and Shane Victorino in right with Daniel Nava and Allen Craig on the bench. The loss of Swihart means the catching job is safely in Ryan Hanigan's hands. Henry Owens will be missed in Pawtucket (not Providence Larry) but the Pawsox have other left handers ready to roll.
The Sox rotation has instantly improved, now Lester takes the ball opening day with Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello right behind. Joe Kelly and Wade Miley round out the rotation leaving Justin Masterson in the bullpen. The bullpen is now strengthed with Koji Uehara out. Edward Mujica is the closer with Junichi Tazawa and Craig Breslow the set up men with Robbie Ross, Masterson and possibly Brandon Workman the middle to long relievers.
The queston is who got the better end of the deal? The Sox will say they did because now they have their ace to go with their devastating lineup. The Cubs will counter saying they got the better end since they ended up with 3 blue chip prospects. A future ace, the top catcher and a dynamic player than can play both infield and out.
All in all it looks like the tonic both teams needed to contend. Maybe we'll see the long awaited Cubs/Red Sox world series. By the way.....April Fools.
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