Sox Take A Flyer On Cruz

The chances of the Red Sox executing a blockbuster deal seemed to fade by the hour Saturday, but general manager Theo Epstein pulled the trigger on a less splashy deal when he acquired outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Double-A infielder Kenny Perez and Single-A pitcher Kyle Bono.

The arrival of Cruz, who battled a bad back and hit just .213 with 12 homers and 28 RBI for the Diamondbacks before he was designated for assignment Wednesday, does not preclude the Sox from pursuing Devil Rays outfielder Aubrey Huff, who has been their top target since Trot Nixon went on the disabled list Wednesday. But it provides the Sox some insurance should the Sox, Mets and Rays fail to agree on the blockbuster deal that has been percolating since Friday afternoon.

When unhappy slugger Manny Ramirez—the centerpiece of the proposed three-team trade—was pulled from the Sox’ lineup five minutes before Saturday’s game against the Twins at Fenway Park, it appeared a deal might be imminent. But Terry Francona said he sat Ramirez Saturday and will do so again today in order to allow Ramirez to “…clear his head.”

Several reports late Saturday night indicated the three-team trade was all but dead and that Ramirez would finish the season with the Sox. Of course, 365 days ago at this time, it appeared iconic shortstop Nomar Garciaparra would not be traded either, so a lot can change before today’s 4 p.m. trading deadline.

And even if Ramirez stays put, the Sox could still land Huff to take over for Nixon in right field. Rays scouts have been tracking Sox minor league clubs all week and are very interested in promising Double-A pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Jon Lester.

But for now, it appears the switch-hitting Cruz—the son of former Astros outfielder Jose Cruz—will replace Nixon as the starter in right field. Cruz, 31, was touted as a five-star talent when the Mariners selected him with the third overall pick in the 1995 draft, but he’s never quite lived up to his advance billing. In 2001, he set career highs with the Blue Jays in homers (34), RBI (88), batting average (.274) and stolen bases (32) but has not come close to any of those figures since. Assuming he suits up for the Sox, they will be the fifth team he has played for since 2002.

Neither Perez, whom the Sox selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, nor Bono, a seventh-round pick in 2004, fit into the Sox’ long-range plans. Perez, 23, hit .167 in 14 games with Pawtucket and hit .285 with four homers, 28 RBI and seven stolen bases in 66 games for Portland. He delivered the game-winning hit in the Eastern League All-Star Game July 13, but his path to Fenway was blocked by Hanley Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia. Bono, 22, was 2-2 in 24 relief appearances for Wilmington with a 4.07 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings.


Diehard managing editor Jerry Beach can be reached at [e-mail]. To receive a free issue of Diehard, call 888-979-0979.