Deadspin via FoxSports is reporting that the blockbuster trade that so many people thought the Dodgers would not accept is on.
The largest big money swap in the history of major league baseball is about to take place.
Fox Sports Jon Morosi borke the story.
The Boston Red Sox would move Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Nick Punto and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Allen Webster, James Loney, Jerry Sands, Ivan De Jesus, and Rubby De La Rosa.
Once and if that deal is finalized, the Red Sox would essentially move more that $250 million in salary between the big three.
Boston’s primary motivation is salary relief. The Red Sox’ playoff hopes have disappeared this month, making them more willing to trade veterans than they were at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
After this season, Gonzalez is owed $109.3 million through 2017, Crawford $106.8 million through 2017, and Beckett $34 million through 2014 – for a total of more than $250 million.
The Dodgers were awarded waiver claims on both Gonzalez and Beckett earlier in the day, according to a major league source.
The Dodgers had interest in Beckett before the non-waiver deadline. The move to a pitcher-friendly park in the National League might help him bounce back from another down year. Beckett is 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts this season.
The biggest question is the Red Sox’s willingness to trade Gonzalez. A major league source said last week that the Red Sox would consider moving him only in a “transformative” — or franchise-changing — type of trade.
More Details are forthcoming but it appears the Red Sex are basically conceding failure and starting over. The Dodger minus Crawford are gearing up for a deep playoff run and possible World Series appearance.
Somewhere Magic Johnson is smiling.