The pitching-needy Boston Red Sox have struck a trade with the San Diego Padres, acquiring left-hander Drew Pomeranz on Thursday.

The trade was first reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune and the Boston Herald reports that Anderson Espinoza, the Red Sox’s top pitching prospect, is headed to San Diego.

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Pomeranz is having a breakout season with San Diego with a 2.47 ERA in 17 starts and he was rewarded for his success with his first trip to the All-Star game. Boston, currently in a wild-card spot in the American League and two games back of Baltimore in the AL East, is hoping that Pomeranz gives their rotation a boost.

Knuckleballer Steven Wright was also an All-Star and right-hander Rick Porcello has had a nice bounceback year, but marquee free-agent signing David Price has a 4.34 ERA and the six other pitchers that have made starts for the Red Sox have a combined 7.22 ERA. If Pomeranz, who is 27 and under contract for two more seasons, continues to impress and Price looks more like the perennial Cy Young award contender he’s been throughout his career in the second half, Boston will certainly feel better about where they stand as a contender.

Parting with Espinoza is a hefty price to pay, though. The 18-year-old right-hander is widely considered to be among the 20 best prospects in baseball, so the Padres will be thrilled to come away with such a talent as they look to rebuild.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr