Unknown Heroes Pt. 29: Craig Breslow

What I like about Craig Breslow is not so much his success.  In fact he has not really played with Boston very long.  He made it into only 13 games in 2006 and then 23 after being re-acquired last year, and has yet to return from the disabled list this year.  No, what I like about Breslow is his intelligence.  There have been Ivy League players in the Majors before, but Breslow's academic success is very impressive.

Breslow attended Yale.  He has degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.  He has formed a non-profit organization to help children with cancer.  He is an incredibly intelligent individual.  I am very smart myself.  I am a lawyer, I was accepted into every law school I applied to, and I have never had any real trouble finding a job.  Breslow makes me look pretty ordinary.  His intelligence makes him a very intriguing player.

Breslow has been an impressive player as well.  He has had two stints with the Red Sox.  In 2006 he pitched 12 innings, striking out 12 and having an 0-2 record with a 3.75 ERA.  I am not quite sure why he did not stick.  But he went on to have some nice seasons for the Twins and Athletics.

He was traded back to the Red Sox in 2012 and struck out 19 in 20 innings as a lefty out of the bullpen.  He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA.  He has been hurt so far this year but should make it back to displace Andrew Miller as the main southpaw in the bullpen.

Wheeling and Dealing

Boston was not terribly active at last week's trading deadline, but given their record that was probably for the best.  They did make a couple of small moves leading up to the deadline and then made one more move today.

JOSE DE LA TORRE
Boston traded Brent Lillibridge to the Indians for De La Torre.  Lillibridge was acquired in the Youkilis trade but was designated for assignment after not playing well for a few games.  De La Torre is a middle reliever in AAA who has put up some decent numbers this year, but at 26, does not have an especially bright future.  He will probably serve as organizational depth and get a call-up occasionally.

CRAIG BRESLOW
The biggest deadline deal for the Red Sox was sending Matt Albers and Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Craig Breslow.  Breslow is a left-handed reliever who previously had a stint with the Red Sox back in 2006.  Breslow allows the Red Sox to move Franklin Morales into the rotation permanently.

STEVEN WRIGHT
Lars Anderson was sent to the Indians to get 27 year-old AA knuckleballer Steven Wright.  Wright has put up decent numbers this year but is old for the league.  He will also likely serve as organizational depth.

DANNY VALENCIA
Today, the Red Sox traded Rookie Leaguer Jeremias Pineda for third baseman Danny Valencia.  I think this likely means the end of Nick Punto in Boston.  Valencia has a lot of power, but not much else.  Pineda is 21 and still in the Rookie League, so he likely does not have a lot of potential despite decent numbers.