When do the Patriots start?

The Boston Red Sox and Los Angles Dodgers completed a nine player trade freeing up about a quarter of a billion dollars in salary over the next five years. Departing from Boston will be four starters in first baseman Adrian Gonzales,  pitcher Josh Beckett, outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Nick Punto. The Dodgers will send over first baseman James Loney, relief pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, pitcher Allen Webster, second baseman Ivan De Jesus, and outfielder Jerry Sands.

For the time being this trade may have saved first year Red Sox coach Bobby Valentine's job. Only seven games under .500 the Sox are still sitting 13.5 games out of first in fourth place in the American League East with little hope of making the postseason. With both teams giving up so much, and Boston giving up the big names. People are to wonder if this was a good trade. 

For the Dodgers it seems like it will be the better deal, because they still have a chance to win the division in the National League West. Being only two games out of first place behind the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers have made some smart baseball moves this season, trading for outfielder Shane Victorino and shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Adding the big four from Boston, should give the Dodgers the power and depth to make a considerable run through the postseason. They are already a favorite for the Wild Card if they can't take the division from San Francisco. 

Unloading the big contracts to L.A. in some ways could have been good for Boston. Carl Crawford was always dealing with injuries, and Josh Beckett seemed to struggle for a lot of the time he was in the American League. With those big guys gone it will wipe the slate clean in a sense, and take all the distractions surrounding the clubhouse away.