A Wantlist Trade from the Forum

This trade took a few weeks to really come together.  There were a lot of moving parts to it and, quite honestly, my heart was not really in it that much.  It was coming about at a time that I was hyper-focused on my Connor Wong collection and this trade features no cards of him.  But, eventually it all worked out and knocked off 21 cards from my wantlist, and a lot of them are from 15-20 years ago, cards that are becoming increasingly harder to find, especially the commons.

1.  Derek Lowe.  One of the greatest trades in Red Sox history was acquiring Lowe AND Jason Varitek for Heathcliff Slocumb.  Lowe was a two-time All Star, as a closer and a starting pitcher, saved 40 games one year and won 20 games another year.  He also won the deciding games in each postseason series in 2004.

2.  Manny Ramirez.  From one of the greatest trades of all time to one of the greatest free agent signings of all time.  Ramirez seemed expensive at the time, but he was well worth the money.  He led the league in home runs once and batting average once and won six Silver Slugger Awards and was an All Star eight times.

3.  David Ortiz.  I believe this is a shot from Ortiz's first All Star Game in 2004.  Ortiz made the most of his first appearance by homering.  

4.  Carlton Fisk.  This is an over-used photo of the Hall of Famer that appeared in a ton of sets in the late 90's/early 2000's.

5.  Josh Beckett.  I was watching a Youtube video about the greatest win/win trades of all time and the trade in which Boston got Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett from the Marlins for a package including Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez was listed.  I have to say I agree.  Even better for Boston was that this was so instrumental in them winning the 2007 World Series.  Beckett and Lowell won the two postseason MVP awards.

6.  David Ortiz.

7.  Wade Boggs.  Known as The Chicken Man for his odd superstition of eating chicken before every game.  He had a lot of superstitions, but that was the most well-known.

8.  Jake Cosart.  Cosart was the 3rd round pick in the 2014 draft and was the younger brother of Marlins and Padres pitcher Jarred Cosart.  Jake never made it to the Majors.  The 2014 draft resulted in a lot of players with Major League experience, but most of whom have struggled.  Michael Chavis, Michael Kopech, Sam Travis and Jalen Beeks were all taken in that draft.

9.  Triston Casas.  Casas struggled greatly for the first month of this season, but looks to be coming around.  The power and batting eye have been for real, but the struggle has been making solid contact that does not result in outs.  He is also something of a character.

10.  Xander Bogaerts.  After a scorching start to the season with his new team, Xander has come back down to earth and seems to be dealing with wrist injuries that have hampered his last couple of seasons.

11.  Roger Clemens.  I am currently reading a book about the 1986 Red Sox.  Clemens of course had his breakout season that year, capturing both the Cy Young and MVP Awards.  He also struck out 20 batters in a game for the first time in history and won the All Star Game MVP.  Unfortunately, he struggled in the postseason and his exit in Game 6 of the World Series was a highly controversial moment.

12.  Chris Sale.  Sale was pitching really well until leaving a game against the Rays early.  He is back on the IL.  Hopefully he can make it back quickly.

13.  Rafael Devers.  Devers has been struggling lately.  It probably doesn't help that most of the offense has been struggling, so there is no real protection in the lineup for him.  

14.  David Price.  I still maintain Price should have been the World Series MVP in 2018.  I am happy for Steve Pearce of course, but Price exorcised his postseason demons and was incredible.

15.  Darwinzon Hernandez.  I feel like I have been getting a lot of Hernandez cards lately, which is odd since he is no longer with the team.

16.  Chris Sale.

17.  Mookie Betts.  I still want to eventually get all of the cards from this 2019 insert set.  When does Connor Wong get a 30-card set devoted to him?

18.  Mookie Betts.

19.  Nick Pivetta.  Pivetta was recently moved to the bullpen after struggling in the rotation.  Of course, a lot of Boston's starters have been struggling.

20.  Bobby Dalbec.  Dalbec has been mashing in the minors.  Unfortunately, he just cannot seem to make that last in the Majors.  I think he is going to be traded.

21.  Josh Winckowski.  This card I was excited about.  Winckowski has been great in the bullpen.  He was the primary return in the Andrew Benintendi deal (Franchy Cordero was the only Major Leaguer, but I maintain Winckowski was the bigger deal).  It is great to see him thrive.