Santiago Espinal Traded to Blue Jays

With a little over a month to go until the 2018 MLB Trade Deadline, the Boston Red Sox swung a deal late Thursday night to acquire first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce from the Toronto Blue Jays. To complete the trade, the Red Sox sent infielder Santiago Espinal to Toronto.
Drive fans will remember Espinal fondly for being one of the catalysts of the Drive's first ever South Atlantic League Championship in 2017. The infielder was selected by Drive fans as the Hale's Jewelers Player of the Year thanks to his outstanding all-around contributions. 
Espinal hit .340 over 60 games in the second half of the season, and in total, he hit .280 with a team-high 138 hits to go along with 64 runs, four homers, 46 RBI and 20 stolen bases. He also played terrific defense at shortstop all season long.

In 2018, Espinal had posted even better numbers with the Salem Red Sox in the Carolina League, including a .313 average, seven homers and 32 RBI over 65 games.
Pearce, a former University of South Carolina standout, is expected to play a lot against left-handed pitchers with the Red Sox. The 35 year-old has missed time with injuries in 2018, but has been productive when on the field. He owned a .291 average with four homers and 16 RBI over 26 games with the Blue Jays this year.