Earlier today, the Oakland Athletics traded right-handed reliever Andrew Bailey, along with Ryan Sweeney, to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Josh Reddick and prospects Miles Head and Raul Alcantara. Let's take a look at what baseball insiders had to say about this deal and what the evaluators can tell us about the prospects heading to Oakland:
- ESPN's Keith Law (insider required) breaks down the deal for both sides, including profiles for the two prospects Miles Head and Raul Alcantara. Law isn't high on Miles Head, but believes the 19-year-old Alcantara can be a potential prize for the A's in this deal, perhaps even developing into a starter.
- Over at Minor League Ball, John Sickels breaks down the prospects with analysis, ETA, and much more.
- Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein likes the deal for both sides, and also believes the newly acquired prospects are both real. but isn't fine with Daniel Bard moving to the rotation. Now with Andrew Bailey and Mark Melancon in the bullpen, that could be where Bard ends up.
- Jon Heyman of CBS Sports hears the A's were quite concerned about Bailey's elbow. Bailey hasn't pitched a full season since his rookie year (2009).
Those are their reactions, what are yours? Is this a good deal for both sides long-term and short-term? Who won this deal?