SoxProspects handicaps trading chips - Boston Red Sox Blog - ESPN Boston

A realistic assessment of the jewel of the Adrian Gonzalez trade.

Rubby De La Rosa (5)—Trading an advanced high-ceiling pitcher is not something that’s high on Boston’s to-do list—particularly one who hasn’t thrown an inning in the organization to this point. However, the team may have to package those types of prospects to get significant major league value in return. A 23-year-old starter who gained some major league experience in 2011, De La Rosa missed most of the 2012 season rehabbing from August 2011 Tommy John surgery. He throws a plus mid-to-high-90s fastball, a plus changeup, and a fringe-average slider. If he can refine his command and improve secondary pitches, he could develop into a No. 3 starter in the short-term. Even if he doesn’t improve those aspects of his game, he still profiles as a high-leverage reliever. To find the last time the Red Sox flipped a trade acquisition before he played a game in the organization, you have to go all the way back to third baseman Andy Marte, who was acquired from Atlanta for Edgar Renteria in December 2005, and then traded to Cleveland in the Coco Crisp deal in January 2006.