The beautiful part of a successful team is they never stand pat. The Boston Redsox, just 2 games off the pace for first place in the American League Eastern Division, made two trades. Boston traded Julio Lugo and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Chris Duncan. This came just hours after they acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers.
Lugo was batting .284 with one homer and eight RBIs in 37 games, with seven errors. Presumably, the Cardinals will use him at both middle infield spots and feel they have strengthened their depth. Duncan, hit .227 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 87 games for St. Louis and was sent to Triple –A, Pawtucket.
LaRoche hit .247 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs and will gives Boston flexibility at first and third base. Boston made the deals a day after losing the division lead for the first time since June 9. The Redsox are ready to roll. They are in the lead for the wild card and trail the Yankees by only two games. The rich get richer. Let’s see how the Yankees respond.