Theo Makes His Move...

Don't look now, but Theo Epstein might have just pulled off the biggest and best move of his tenure as Sox GM today as he traded three prospects for San Diego first baseman, All Star, and arguably one of the top 10 players in Major League Baseball - Adrian Gonzalez.

So, if you are like me, you might not know too much about Gonzalez. Playing in San Diego for the last bunch of years, it is not like we get to see a lot of West Coast baseball. But that doesn't mean we can't dive in and learn a little more about him. So here we go.

Gonzalez is a 28-year-old, left-handed, slugging, Gold Glove first baseman. He has a lifetime average of .284, and a slugging percentage of .507. He has done this in a notoriously bad hitters park for the last four year since being traded from Texas. This is someone who should light up Fenway. He is an extremely popular player among fans, teamates and coaches alike. Best of all...he has openly said that he wants to play for the Red Sox.

Last year he batted .298, with 31 dongs, and 101 RBIs, while hurt for a good portion of the year. The Padres will get stud pitching prospect Casey Kelly, 1b Anthony Rizzo, and outfielder Reymond Fuentes. As far as I am concerned -- this is one-sided deal. This is a deal that will hurt San Diego. On the flip side, the local columnists Steve Buckley, and Bob Ryan agree: The Red Sox just became relevant again.

San Diego was in a bind. They are a smaller market team and knew they would not be able to retain him when his contract was up, so they made the move now.

While the deal is not done yet -- Gonzalez still needs to pass a physical and the Sox need to sign him to a long-term deal -- make no bones about it...Theo will get it done. He has to...he has been laying the groundwork for this deal for two-plus years...and this is the deal for which he/and all Sox fans have been waiting.

All of a sudden, Sox fans like myself who were longing for Mark Teixeira two winters ago...only to see him go to the Yankees -- will forget all about that heartbreak.

So what's next? It looks like Beltre will walk, Youk will move to third, and Theo will go to Florida and focus on Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.

The winter is looking a whole lot brighter...wouldn't you say?

UPDATE: 12-5-10, 8:20 pm -- Apparently the deal is official, without a long-term extension -- SI.com, and Boston.com are reporting. Speculation is that the Sox and Gonzalez have agreed to the terms of the extension, but will not announce until after opening day to save a boat-load of cash (millions) in terms of luxury tax.

Also ... Jayson Werth just signed a mega-deal with the Nationals...a seven-year, $126 million deal...While Werth is a good player, this one seems a bit large for a 32 y.o., one-time all star.