It looks like this is pretty much a done deal. I expect the Sox to rotate Kotsay, Ellsbury, and Crisp between centerfield and rightfield- at least until Drew comes back (hopefully he does come back). Jason Bay, of course, will play everyday in leftfield. Anyway, good move for the Red Sox, they needed the added depth going down the stretch.
This is from Ken Rosenthal this morning:
The Red Sox have acquired Kotsay for a mid-level prospect, according to major-league sources. The player headed to Atlanta hasn't been identified yet.
To complete the deal, Kotsay waived his no-trade clause for the Red Sox, one of eight teams on his no-trade list according to his contract.
Kotsay will receive a $325,000 assignment bonus for waiving his no-trade protection.
Kotsay was drawing interest from the Phillies, too, according to major-league sources.
Both teams are dealing with injuries to left-handed hitting outfielders.
The Red Sox on Tuesday placed right fielder J.D. Drew on the disabled list. Drew, suffering from a back problem, had missed Boston's previous six games.
The Red Sox's attempt to acquire the Padres' Brian Giles, another left-handed hitting outfielder, collapsed earlier this month when Giles invoked his no-trade clause to Boston.
Kotsay, who turns 33 on Dec. 2, has been hot in August, posting an .856 on-base/slugging percentage, his highest of any month this season.
Boston assumes the balance of his $8 million salary, which would amount to slightly more than $1.5 million.
The Braves did not plan to offer salary arbitration to Kotsay, who is a free agent at the end of the season.
Kotsay missed all of June due to a lower back strain, but since then has appeared in 40 of the Braves' 48 games. For the season, he is batting .289 with a .338 on-base percentage, six home runs and 37 RBIs in 344 plate appearances.