Former GM Praises Red Sox For Blockbuster Trade With Brewers

The Boston Red Sox made one final offseason splash before spring training started this week, swinging a six-player blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday.

The Red Sox received three infielders in the deal in Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler, significantly improving their lineup and infield depth. The Brewers received pitcher Kyle Harrison, infielder David Hamilton and Minor League pitcher Shane Drohan.

On paper, this trade makes a ton of sense for Boston. Durbin, who is expected to replace Alex Bregman at third base, is coming off a strong rookie season and is under team control through 2031. He’s heading into his age-26 season and has the potential to be the Red Sox’s starting third baseman for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Boston has pitching to spare and could afford to give up a promising arm like Harrison, who was acquired from the San Francisco Giants in last summer’s Rafael Devers trade.

One MLB analyst who likes this trade for the Red Sox is former MLB GM Jim Bowden.

“Caleb Durbin was the best player that was in this trade,” Bowden said on Tuesday’s episode of “Foul Territory.” “I look at Durbin kind of like I looked at Brendan Donovan. I think he’s a very useful player who plays above his tools…I like the pickup for Boston.”

Durbin will look to build on a strong rookie campaign where he finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year race and helped Milwaukee win the NL Central. In 136 games last year, he batted .256/.334/.387 with 11 home runs, 18 stolen bases and 2.8 WAR. He also performed well in the postseason with a .777 OPS, eight hits and three steals in nine playoff games.

If he’s able to maintain or improve on that production, he could be a valuable player with Boston for years to come.