Chaim Bloom Explains Why He Traded Kike Hernandez To The Dodgers

Chaim Bloom Explains Why He Traded Kike Hernandez To The Dodgers

There have been rumors in the last few days that Kike Hernandez was going to get moved. Those rumors turned out to be true. Kike Hernandez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a pair of relievers. Red Sox president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, has already commented on the trade.

VIA NESN:

"You never have enough pitching and these guys being in the upper levels and Nick having got a taste of the big leagues, we're excited about what they can bring to the table to help us."

Chaim Bloom on the Sox receiving Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman from LA | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/ZUCQsK9ApQ

— NESN (@NESN) July 25, 2023

“We’re excited to get both of them,” Bloom said, as seen on NESN’s pregame coverage. “You never have enough pitching, and these guys being in the upper levels and Nick (Robertson) having gotten a taste of the big leagues — we’re excited about what they can bring to the table to help us.”

Bloom on Robertson:

“Nick Robertson, when he walks in the door you’ll know why he’s here. He’s a big guy, and has really done a nice job in Triple-A. He just got his first taste of the big leagues this year with the Dodgers — hard thrower with a plus-fastball, really good changeup that’s become a weapon for him against both sides. He also has a hard slider that he’s used against righties.

“… There are 30 teams in flux with their pitching staff. You can never have enough pitching in today’s game. This guy has obviously proven a lot at Triple-A. That’s where we sent him, but I would expect he might be in a position to help us out, and has the stuff and has the tools to help us get guys out in the big leagues. That’s something we could use.”

Bloom on Hagenman:

“(Hagenman), he’s got some different experiences under his belt,” Bloom said. “He’s always been a really good strike thrower. He’s always been a really good strike thrower. The stuff has come on as he’s come up through the system. There’s something to be said for a guy that you can count on to come into a game with a deep repertoire and throw strikes. There’s always going to be a place for those guys, so we’ll see as we get him going. He’s been used in a multi-inning capacity. I would expect that’s what happens moving forward, but we’ve had a lot of starting opportunity in Worcester and we might take a look there, too.”

Marcelo Mayer: Is The Hype Machine Real?

Few things from me.

Who knows if either of these guys will make major league contributions? On paper, the trade does make some sense. The Sox need pitching and have way too many guys that can play second base. Mission accomplished there.

Given the year that Kike is having (.222/.279/.320), it’s not like the guy had much trade value anyway. This is probably the best you could have hoped for. Robertson seems like he’s the closest to actually contributing. If he can pitch quality innings in a future playoff series, this trade was a win. Simple as that.

Robertson is already on the 40-man so nothing changes roster wise.

I would have preferred a flier on a young 18-year old but you can’t complain with this package. Getting two arms matters.

Nick Robertson has been one of the best reliever in all of AAA baseball this year. He's was on LA's mid-season BA Top 30 as a 6'6 right-hander that has a 38% K%, 17% SwStr%, and 81% contact on zone swings. Plus a 50% GB%. pic.twitter.com/5kpLVm7LsF

— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) July 25, 2023