Red Sox add depth with Roberts

By Kevin Goldstein
July 31, 2004

One of the busiest teams at the trade deadline got a little busier Saturday afternoon, as the Dodgers sent Dave Roberts to the Red Sox for Triple-A outfielder Henri Stanley.

Roberts, 32, upgrades Boston's speed, defense and depth. He lost his spot in the Dodgers' starting lineup after they acquired Hee Seop Choi (who allowed Shawn Green to return to the outfield) and Steve Finley in the last two days. Roberts' game is built around speed. He's one of the top basestealers and bunters in the game, and his quickness allows him to recover from occasional late breaks in the outfield. He possesses little power and his arm is below average. Roberts is batting .253/.340/.356 with two homers, 21 RBIs and 33 steals (in 34 attempts) in 68 games this year. He makes $975,000 this season and will be arbitration-eligible afterward. He's a career .259/.335/.337 hitter with nine homers, 85 RBIs and 130 steals in 377 games.

Stanley, 26, signed with Houston as a nondrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2000. Houston scouting director David Lakey decided to sign him after watching him play in the College World Series on an airport television. Stanley quickly became a favorite of the Astros front office, but he was lost to the Padres last November when they tried to pass him through waivers. San Diego sent him to Boston for cash and future considerations in May. In 79 games at Triple-A Portland and Pawtucket this year, he has hit .279/.363/.438 with five homers and 29 RBIs. While Stanley does many things well, he lacks a true plus tool and his well below-average arm relegates him to left field. He could serve as a pinch-hitter/fourth outfielder in the majors. He's a career .294/.385/.486 hitter with 50 homers, 245 RBIs and 72 steals in 501 pro games.