On the eve of the trade deadline, when the rumors were flying, the Indians made a trade deal with the Red Sox. Really, we did. Cleveland acquired 1B/outfielder Lars Anderson from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for RHP Steven Wright, who has been summering in Columbus, Ohio.
Here’s the low-down on the 24-year-old Anderson from the Indians: He’s spent most of the season at Triple-A Pawtucket where hit .259 (88-340) with 22 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs and 52 RBI in 93 games. He has also drawn 56 walks (6th in the Int’l League) and currently sports an on-base pct. of .359 (.415SLG/ .774OPS). The left-handed batter has hit southpaws better in 2012 (.261 vs. .258 against RHP) and has hit .316 (50-158) with runners on base. He has appeared in 66 games at first base and 16 games in left field. The Oakland, CA native also spent 6 games with the parent club at the end of April (1-for-8). Anderson was selected by Boston in the 18th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA. He owns a six-year Minor League career average of .274 (734-2681) with 182 doubles, 76 home runs and 408 RBI in 730 games while drawing 407 walks (.370OB/.435SLG/.805OPS). He was ranked among Baseball America’s Top 100 Minor League prospects for three straight seasons from 2008-10. He has appeared in 48 games with Boston over each of the last three seasons since 2010.
So we picked up a left-handed batter who can theoretically play left field. Is that all there is? Apparently so. The earth has not been shattered.
Just when you think the roster can’t potentially get any worse…
I’m not sure that it will be worse, it just doesn’t seem to be any sort of improvement. Stagnation rules the day.
Get the feeling I must be missing something here. A left handed 1st baseman who is hitting lower than Matt LaPorta. Just starting to recover from Lillibridge mystery. Nurse more smelling salts.
Another Ryan Garko type first basement/outfielder was essentially acquired. We need right handed hitting bats and they get a left handed hitter. They need someone who can hit with some power, instead they get a guy with marginal power. why get rid of the Ryan Garko’s and Ben Broussard’s of the world to only reacquire the same type of player? This Anderson’s stats do not even compare to Russ Canzler or Matt Laporta in the minors. Another great acquisition by Antonnetti.