Gresh and Zo: Jon Heyman Discusses Red Sox-Dodgers Blockbuster

CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman joined Gresh & Zo a day early on Monday to discuss the blockbuster trade between the Red Sox and Dodgers over the weekend.

"Normally big players aren't traded in August, so I was surprised," said Heyman. "But as the day went on and you understood why Gonzalez could be traded – because of the financial flexibility they could get by combining Crawford also in the deal – it made more sense."

"It just doesn't happen this way; a guy in his prime who's healthy gets moved in August," said Heyman. "But Boston wanted the financial flexibility, and this was a very rare occasion where you had a team that had no interest in money."

The Dodgers took on most what is owed to Gonzalez, with Boston only having to pay $12 million next year. What does it say about Gonzo that the Red Sox were willing to get rid of him if it meant getting rid of Josh Beckett? Did Gonzalez just never fit in Boston?

"Boston is a difficult place to play," said Heyman. "I don't think it's that rare that a guy doesn't fit in Boston. It's a unique situation; a soap opera sometimes. It certainly was this year, and Gonzalez wasn't used to that. Some guys like it, some thrive off it. I think Pedroia and Ortiz get annoyed sometimes, but they thrive in the situation. Not everyone is like them."

"Gonzalez is a little laid back, and I don't think he was expected it to be the way it was," said Heyman.

While the headlines are about the Dodgers acquiring Gonzalez, really the biggest part of the deal for the Red Sox is shipping Josh Beckett out-of-town.

"I think Beckett had to go. He was a big part of that culture; not just the chicken stuff, he was the leader of that rotation a failing rotation," said Heyman. "They're young guys and impressionable... He is the leader and I think these other guys have been following him around, and it wasn't good for them. Beckett has been a World Series hero twice, and some teams think he can do it for them. I think the Red Sox understood the time was up here in Boston and they had to move on."

"He's the one that was affecting the culture; Gonzalez was kind of along for the ride, and so was Crawford," said Heyman.

So what is next for Boston? What will they do with the $260 million they just cleared off the books? MLB Insider Jon Heyman weighs in on Gresh & Zo!