Red Sox acquire ex-All-Star infielder in trade with NL team

Aug 23, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Hats and gloves from the Boston Red Sox team near the edge of the dugout before the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

As they struggle to stay above water in a competitive AL East, the Boston Red Sox are adding another bat.

Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported Saturday that the Red Sox have acquired veteran infielder Garrett Cooper in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, sending cash back to the Cubs in return. Boston and Chicago are in the middle of a three-game weekend series against each other, which allowed for the two sides to hammer out the deal in person.

The 33-year-old Cooper, an All-Star in 2022 with the Miami Marlins, was DFA’d by the Cubs earlier this week. That gave Chicago a seven-day window to trade Cooper (among other options), and they have ultimately decided to do so.

Cooper is still a very productive player. He hit .270 with a 115 OPS+ in 12 games for the Cubs this season. But he was no longer needed with Chicago getting healthier and having other situational bats to choose from.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, just lost their starting first baseman Triston Casas to a multi-week injury, giving Cooper an immediate chance to contribute. At 14-13 on the season and dealing with a number of injuries on both sides of the ball, Boston has somewhat been forced to pick up scraps lately. They recently even signed a guy who was playing in an independent league.