November 22, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Luis Ortega traded to Brewers for reliever Burke Badenhop
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The Red Sox have traded left-handed pitcher Luis Ortega (pictured) to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for right-handed reliever Burke Badenhop.
Badenhop, 30, has appeared in 280 games over parts of six seasons with the Marlins, Rays, and Brewers. Consistency has been the calling card of the 6-foot-5 righty since moving to the bullpen full-time in 2010. In each of the last four seasons, he has posted an ERA between 3.03 and 4.10 while throwing between 63 and 68 innings each year. In both 2012 and 2013, Badenhop struck out 42, walked 12, and allowed six home runs in 62 1/3 innings, allowing one fewer hit (62) in the latter year.
The Red Sox originally signed Ortega out of the Dominican Republic in July of 2011. In his 2012 debut in the Dominican Summer League, the lefty was used as a starting pitcher. In 13 starts, Ortega has a 2.12 ERA and 1.197 WHIP in 59 1/3 innings. He came stateside in 2013, and was used largely in a piggyback role for the Gulf Coast League club. He was solid in the role, posting a 2.45 ERA in 36 2/3 innings, striking out 26 and walking 15.
The Red Sox were working from a position of depth in trading Ortega. Despite being a talented left-hander who has reportedly touched 90, the organization has several young pitchers who they needed to find innings for. Ortega was consistently able to go three innings in his outings for the GCL Sox, but only got the chance to make one start as part of a doubleheader.
The Red Sox were working from a position of depth in trading Ortega. Despite being a talented left-hander who has reportedly touched 90, the organization has several young pitchers who they needed to find innings for. Ortega was consistently able to go three innings in his outings for the GCL Sox, but only got the chance to make one start as part of a doubleheader.
Photo Credit: Luis Ortega by SoxProspects, LLC