By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

PAWTUCKET – The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone,
and count the Pawtucket Red Sox as one of the clubs who felt the impact.
Brandon Moss, who an hour prior was taking groundballs at first base at
McCoy Stadium, was informed he was heading to Pittsburgh as part of a
three-team deal that involved Boston sending disgruntled outfielder Manny
Ramirez to the Dodgers.
Moss will be joined in Pittsburgh by Craig Hansen, a teammate of his in
Pawtucket and Boston. The Red Sox settled on outfielder Jason Bay as the
player whom they hope can offer the same protection hitting behind David
Ortiz that Ramirez did.
With batting practice on the verge of being completed, PawSox manager Ron
Johnson pointed his in Moss’ direction. At the time the 24-year-old was
standing in the outfield.
In a closed door meeting, Johnson (along with Sox GM Theo Epstein, Vice
President of Player of Personnel Ben Cherington and Farm Director Mike
Hazen via conference call), informed Moss that he was part of a
blockbuster.
Moss was in Johnson’s original lineup, batting third and starting at first
base.
PawSox pitcher David Pauley was the first to congratulate Moss with a hug.
Outfielder Sean Danielson, whose locker is in the same vicinity as Moss’s,
shouted “Take off that Red Sox gear!”
His head swimming with various emotions, Moss said aloud he had to call
his wife, Allison. Pitcher Chris Smith eased Moss’ concerns by saying he
had already touched base with Allison Moss.
“It’s definitely a good opportunity; I just hope to stay (in the bigs)
every day,” said Moss, who was drafted by in the eighth round back in
2002. “It was very weird because it’s almost 5 o’clock and we’re finishing
up … I’ve got to start packing the house.
“The Red Sox were looking out for me and seeing this was an opportunity
for me to play and get a little bit more time that I would have gotten
here. I think it worked out every way it could have.”
“It could turn out to be a good opportunity for Brandon and Craig,” said
Johnson.
Moss was unsure whether he would be reporting directly to the Pirates or
be joining their Triple-A affiliate, Indianapolis.
(More reaction from Brandon Moss in Friday’s edition)