Report: Dodgers win claim for 1B Gonzalez
The Los Angeles Dodgers were awarded a waiver claim on Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, according to the Los Angeles Times, and ESPN.com reported that there's a inreasing liklihood that the slugger could be dealt.
Waivers are revocable after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline and the Red Sox could opt to pull Gonzalez back, cancelling the possibility of a trade.
If the Red Sox don't revoke the waiver transaction, the Dodgers have a window of two business days to negotiate a trade. It's possible, however unlikely, that Boston could allow the Dodgers to claim Gonzalez outright and assume the remainder of his current contract.
He's owed more than $127 million over the next six seasons under the terms of the seven-year, $154 million deal he signed in April 2011.
Dealing their star would be a suprising shift for Boston, who acquired Gonzalez in December 2010. A unnamed Red Sox official told ESPN.com that team has no problems with Gonzalez, but is looking at all ways to improve. The teams discussed a deal at the July 31 trade deadline, but they didn't get far.
"I think something is happening, but I'm in a state of disbelief that it is," a baseball source told ESPN.com.
Gonzalez, 30, entered Friday with a .300 batting average. The four-time All-Star has 15 home runs and 86 RBIs.
The Dodgers also claimed Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee and more than $100 million remaining on his contract, but he remains in Philadelphia.
Los Angeles, under new ownership, has been active in building its roster on the fly. The Dodgers acquired two former All-Stars -- left fielder Shane Victorino and shortstop Hanley Ramirez -- before the trade deadline.
