Soon after the 4pm deadline came and passed, the news of the minor acquisition became official, with the Sox picking up a relief pitcher from Oakland for cash considerations.
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This year, the team was limited, according to a league source, as “lots of talk and not much action”, with another describing the activity as “a whole lot of nothing”.
Cook was once considered one of the best relief pitchers in the American League after two terrific seasons in 2012 and 2013, which included his only All-Star Game appearance in 2012. He was with Oakland from April 26 to May 2 and went 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA.
Manager John Farrell told reporters that the Sox are “looking for the potential for a bounceback and how that could play into the construction of a bullpen for next year”. However, one major league source said that a rumored three-team deal involving the Red Sox, Cubs, and Padres was “truly a Twitter fiction”.
“This is a guy that has been a closer in the past”, he added. Players can still be moved after the deadline, but they must pass through waivers before any deal can be finalized.
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The only other recent trade that Boston was sending outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday for utility player Josh Rutledge. There are veterans on the Red Sox who should be clear waivers, such as Mike Napoli, and can be dealt before then.
