December 18, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Sox acquire Herrera from Rockies for Morales, Martin
The Red Sox have acquired utility infielder Jonathan Herrera from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for left-hander Franklin Morales and reliever Chris Martin, according to media reports.
Herrera, 29, has spent his entire 12-year professional career in the Rockies organization and spent the last five at the major league level. Herrera has primarily played as a utility infielder, logging over 100 games at both shortstop and second base during his five years in Colorado. Herrera, who has also seen time at third base, is widely regarded in the game as an above-average fielder.
In over 900 major league at-bats, Herrera has shown little with the bat posting a .658 career OPS. However, in 196 at-bats in 2013 Herrera posted career highs in batting average, .292, and OPS, .701.
Martin, 27, is a 6'7" right-hander who split time in 2013 between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. In 72 innings between the two levels he posted strong numbers including a 1.05 WHIP and a 4.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Morales, also 27, began his career with the Rockies and has spent the last three seasons in Boston where he was shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen. After posting solid numbers in 2012, the left-hander struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2013. While inconsistent as a starter, Morales has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to get left-handers out.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Herrera by Doug Pensinger.
Luke Lavoie is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter here.