The LA Dodgers Make the Trade of the Century

There have been numerous significant trades in baseball history, some that have even changed the future of certain franchises.  On Saturday the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired half of the Boston Red Sox roster, or it would seem they did by getting 4 Red Sox players in a 9 player trade that can only be described as historical. 

The Dodgers broke the bank and spent a whopping $261 million dollars on Red Sox All Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Nick Punto, and pitcher Josh Beckett.  In return Boston receives pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, first baseman James Loney, and minor leaguers Allen Webster, Jerry Sands, and Ivan De Jesus.  The Dodgers realize that this is their opportunity to make a serious run at not only the post season, but also their first World Series title since 1988.

Currently LA is 2.5  games back of San Francisco is the NL West, and just 1 game back in the NL wild card race.  Dodger fans love Adrian Gonzalez already as he came to town in style by hitting a 3-run home run in his first ever at bat as a member of the team.  As for their other acquisitions, Josh Beckett has been mediocre this season to say the least with a 5-11 record and a 5.23 ERA, Carl Crawford recently had Tommy John surgery, and 3rd baseman Nick Punto has a career .247 average.

It is clear that the Red Sox have had their share of problems this season.  Things stated to go south for them last September when they crumbled like a clay statue, collapsing and not making the post season after having a 9 game lead over Tampa Bay for the wild card.  This season they changed things significantly by hiring manager Bobby Valentine, which has not been smooth sailing thus far.  The Red Sox now have plenty of money to spend next season, and are officially rebuilding.

The Dodgers hope that these trades will once again make them the elite baseball team that they once were.  No one can say that they aren't spending money to improve their team.  They are doing what is necessary to win.  Let's not forget that they play in LA, could we see a Hollywood ending for the Dodgers this season?