The Boston Red Sox organization expressed unhappiness with the San Diego Padres after it was revealed Padres general manager A.J. Preller wasn’t honest about Drew Pomeranz’s medical records following a trade for Anderson Espinoza. Preller received a 30-game ban for withholding medical information and the Red Sox continued to cry foul.
Reacting to suspension of #Padres GM AJ Preller, Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said "we were extremely disappointed in the decision. We felt
— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) September 17, 2016
that some wrong was committed and that it's important to have a level playing field. The Padres didn't play on it." 1st comment by #RedSox
— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) September 17, 2016
It turns out, the Red Sox had the opportunity to rectify the deal.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he gave Boston a chance to rescind the deal in early August, long after the trade deadline. The Red Sox declined the offer and were told by Manfred the league wasn’t going to compensate them otherwise for the shady deal.
Pomeranz has since been temporary shut down for the season with arm soreness. But, the 27-year-old wasn’t a total bust for Boston. He managed to make 13 starts with a 3-5 record and a 4.86 ERA with the Red Sox. In 2016, Pomeranz has thrown a career-high 169.1 innings and 30 starts. His arm soreness might be related to his high usage.
Either way, Boston had the chance to redo the deal and passed. If the organization felt they were unfairly dealt a damaged player, they were given the opportunity to rescind the deal. They didn’t and were rightly not compensated further. They kept Pomeranz knowing he’d have an impact on a playoff run. Despite the botched medical information, the Red Sox would do the deal again.
