The Boston Red Sox continue to change the makeup of their roster as they send infielder Stephen Drew to their American League East rivals the New York Yankees for infielder Kelly Johnson. This is the first trade between New York and Boston since 1997.
Drew, 31, is hitting .176/.255/.328 this season after signing with Boston in May according to MLB.com. Drew began his season late after holding out as a free agent and eventually signing a one-year deal to return to the Red Sox. Drew will play second base for the Yankees, replacing Brian Roberts who has been designated for assignment.
Johnson is struggling offensively this year, hitting .219 with six home runs and 22 RBI. Johnson, a utility player, played mostly third base for the Yankees this season, but can also play first base, second base, left field and right field.
The Red Sox will now be able to install Xander Bogaerts back to shortstop, where Drew had played, and put Will Middlebrooks at third base according to Pinstripealley.com.
It isn’t a huge blockbuster deal, but the rarity of a Yankees-Red Sox swap makes it more interesting.