Fall/Winter Roundup: Valdez traded to Pirates; Rivera shines again for Santurce
The annual Winter Meetings brought about some change within the Red Sox organization. In addition to acquiring Garrett Crochet from the White Sox for four prospects, Boston brought in a pitcher (via the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft) and a catcher (via a trade with the Yankees) who are currently playing winter ball in Puerto Rico and Venezuela, respectively. This update covers all the action in the Caribbean from December 9-15. Please also visit our SoxProspects.com Fall/Winter page, updated daily.
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Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)
Darvin Garcia, acquired from the Pirates in the minor-league phase of last week's Rule 5 Draft, has spent his winter with Carolina. In nine relief appearances for the Gigantes, the 25-year-old righty out of the Dominican Republic has posted a 6.97 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with 14 strikeouts to six walks over 10 1/3 innings. Eduardo Rivera turned in another solid start for Santurce on Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts over five innings to lower his ERA on the season to 1.09. Brian Van Belle recorded his first hold of the winter on Wednesday by firing two scoreless frames of relief in Caguas' 3-1 win over Mayaguez. Mickey Gasper has not appeared in a game for Caguas since being placed on the inactive list on December 4. Juan Montero appeared in two games for Ponce, going 1 for 5 with one run scored and one walk.
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Dominican Winter League (LIDOM)
Enmanuel Valdez (pictured, above) and Bryan Gonzalez were the only two Red Sox major- or minor-leaguers playing in the Dominican Winter League but both have since departed from the organization. The former was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster and then traded to the Pirates on Sunday. The latter was selected by the Royals in the minor-league phase of last week's Rule 5 Draft.
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Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Bryan Mata appeared in five games for Magallanes since our last update. The 25-year-old righty allowed three earned runs on seven hits, four walks, and five strikeouts over six innings of relief to bring his ERA to 3.14. Carlos Narvaez, acquired from the Yankees for Elmer Rodriguez last Wednesday, has spent the winter with the Cardenales de Lara. Through 23 games, the 26-year-old catcher is slashing .377/.456/.662 with seven doubles, five home runs, 18 RBIs, 15 runs scored, five stolen bases, nine walks, and 13 strikeouts over 90 plate appearances.
Photo Credit: Enmanuel Valdez by Kelly O'Connor