Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

October 14, 2012

On Baseball: Which Sea Dogs castaways make the All-Traded Team?

By Kevin Thomas kthomas@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Watching so many former Sea Dogs in the playoffs -- and not playing for Boston -- had me wondering, who were the best Portland players sent to other organizations since the Sea Dogs became a Red Sox affiliate in 2003?

So, presenting the All-Traded Sea Dogs team: 

CATCHER: Tim Federowicz

Federowicz was traded July 31, 2011 in a multiplayer deal with Seattle and the Dodgers that brought pitchers Erik Bedard and Josh Fields to Boston. At the time, Boston had Ryan Lavarnway and Luis Exposito in Triple-A, so Federowicz became expendable.

Federowicz, 25, was a Triple-A All-Star this year (playing in the same All-Star game as Lavarnway). He has been called up to the majors the past two Septembers.

Meanwhile, Bedard contributed little to Boston and left after the 2011 season. Fields is in Triple-A. 

FIRST BASE: Anthony Rizzo

Rizzo was traded to the Padres on Dec. 6, 2010 in a multiplayer deal that brought Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. Rizzo had just finished a breakout season, including 107 games in Portland (20 home runs, .815 OPS). But the Red Sox did not want to wait to see if Rizzo would develop into an All-Star. They had always coveted the veteran Gonzalez.

Rizzo, 23, reached the majors with San Diego but was traded to the Cubs last January. Called up in late June, he batted .285 (.805 OPS) with 15 home runs in 87 games..

Meanwhile, Gonzalez has been traded to the Dodgers. 

MIDDLE INFIELD: Jed Lowrie

Lowrie was traded to the Astros last December in a multi-player deal for reliever Mark Melancon. Lowrie was a solid performer for the Red Sox but was injured often, playing only 175 games from 2009-11.

Lowrie, 28, hit 16 home runs in 97 games for Houston, but also missed two months with an ankle injury.

Melancon struggled (6.20 ERA) but showed promise after August (0.90 ERA). 

SHORTSTOP: Hanley Ramirez

Ramirez was traded Nov. 24, 2005 to the Marlins in a multi-player deal that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston.

At the time, Ramirez was considered one of the best talents in the minors, although he had a lackluster 2005 season in Portland (.271, six home runs, .720 OPS).

Ramirez, 28, became an elite player in Miami, appearing in three All-Star games. His numbers declined after the 2010 season and he was traded this past July to the Dodgers.

Beckett and Lowell were two key cogs in Boston's World Series title season of 2007. Lowell is now retired and Beckett was traded to the Dodgers this past August. 

THIRD BASE: Kevin Youkilis

Youkilis was traded to the White Sox in June for Brent Lillibridge and Zach Stewart. A three-time All-Star and member of two World Series championship teams, he had lost his job to Will Middlebrooks. Youkilis' time on the disabled list kept increasing in recent years while his production decreased.

Youkilis, 33, hit 15 home runs in 80 games for the White Sox, while batting only .236.

Lillibridge played 10 games for Boston before being traded to Cleveland for minor league pitcher Jose De La Torre. Stewart pitched in Pawtucket (3.94 ERA) but made two forgettable starts for Boston (14 earned runs in 52/3 innings). 

OUTFIELD: Josh Reddick, David Murphy and Brandon Moss

Reddick was traded last December in a multiplayer deal with Oakland, bringing Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney to Boston.

Reddick was coming off a decent year in which he hit .280 with seven home runs in 87 games. With an explosive swing, Reddick had the makings of a power hitter, but Boston never appeared content with him, wanting Reddick to get on base more often.

(Continued on page 2)

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