Boston Red Sox Trade Marco Scutaro to Colorado Rockies for Clayton Mortensen

The Boston Red Sox have sent veteran infielder Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for right-hander Clayton Mortensen.  In doing so, the Red Sox have cleared approximately $6 million in salary cap space that they can now use to aid them in the hunt for an established starting pitcher.  Meanwhile, the Rockies get the veteran second baseman they’ve been seeking to compliment All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

The Rockies have been on the hunt for a second baseman seemingly all offseason, and talks between Colorado and the Red Sox heated up when it became evident that Boston was hoping to clear cap room.

Though this seemed like an easy match, the Red Sox were reportedly hesitant to trade Scutaro due to lack of depth at the shortstop position.  Boston traded young shortstop Jed Lowrie earlier this offseason and the Red Sox didn’t have a sure-thing ready to take over in Scutaro’s absence.

It turns out that the Red Sox are comfortable enough playing the platoon game with veteran’s Nick Punto and Mike Aviles while they wait for top prospect Jose Iglesias, who will start the season in Triple-A.

Scutaro sports a career OPS of .727 and hit .299/.358/.423 over his 445 plate appearances last season with the Red Sox.

In exchange for Scutaro the Red Sox receive 26-year-old right-hander Clayton Mortensen.  Last season for the Rockies Mortensen made 16 appearances, including six starts, spanning 58 1/3 innings.  During that time Mortensen maintained an ERA of 3.86 to go with his 1.354 WHIP.

For more on the Red Sox and Rockies, be sure to check out BoSox Injection and Rox Pile.