BOSTON — David Ortiz believes the Red Sox may have landed a younger version of himself in Yoenis Cespedes.
That wouldn’t be too tough for Boston fans to take.
But Dustin Pedroia is not yet ready to declare the Red Sox’s sweeping changes a success.
“There’s a lot to process,’’ Pedroia told The Post Friday night at Fenway Park. “It was crazy, but I will say this, Cespedes is some kind of hitter.’’
It all worked out the first game and Cespedes didn’t even play as the Red Sox beat the Yankees, 4-3 with Anthony Ranaudo of St. Rose High in Belmar, N.J., making his major league debut and pitching six innings to get the win. He picked up his first strikeout against his baseball hero, Derek Jeter, in the third.
“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a lot of emotion going on out there because it was the New York Yankees, the team I watched growing up,’’ Ranaudo, 24, said of the victory with his mom and dad, Angelo and Sharon, present in the great old ballpark. “It’s awesome to compete against [Jeter] and what he stands for and everything.’’
The Red Sox, who lead the Yankees in World Series victories since 2004, 3-1, are trying to show they are smarter than the Yankees once again — throwing in the towel and reloading for 2015.
Cespedes is the key to the non-waiver trade deadline deals that saw the Red Sox make four trades on the general manager equivalent of Thirsty Thursday. It was Fantasy League Day.
In addition to landing Cespedes and a 2015 competitive balance draft pick from the A’s for ace Jon Lester, outfielder Jonny Gomes and cash, the Red Sox also got Allen Craig and right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly from the Cardinals for John Lackey, a minor league pitcher and cash, and acquired lefty Eduardo Rodriguez from the Orioles for lefty Andrew Miller.
Ranaudo will go back down to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Kelly.
The Red Sox made one more deal within the division, trading Stephen Drew to the Yankees for Kelly Johnson. The two just happen to be close friends.
Cespedes showed up at Fenway Park about two hours before the first pitch, but didn’t play.
Craig was shoved into left field and was taking balls off the Green Monster during batting practice.
This was spring training in August as lockers were changed and teammates came together for the first time. Pedroia moved over to his buddy Lester’s locker.
“What a crazy day,’’ Johnson, the former Yankee, told me as he put on his Red Sox uniform for the first time. “It was just bizarre. You just don’t really expect to be traded, No. 1 when you are on the DL, No. 2, because I wasn’t playing every day, you kind of figure you are sliding under the radar.’’
Ortiz said he thought landing Cespedes was a “good move.’’
Remember, Big Papi has been calling on the Red Sox to add offense all season. He wanted the Red Sox to sign Nelson Cruz. Maybe next year.
Craig went from a contender to last place but said, “I’m excited to be with the organization. I’m just here to do my part.’’
Cespedes, through a translator, called the Red Sox a “legendary’’ organization.
“I’m very excited to be here. The trade caught me by surprise, I was sleeping,’’ Cespedes said. “I feel very fortunate to have David Ortiz as a teammate. I think I will gain a lot of valuable experience.’’
Ortiz was smiling during a brief TV interview when asked about Cespedes, saying he felt the Cuban slugger will become a much better hitter as he gains experience.
The Red Sox also made sure Cuban pitching legend Luis Tiant, who played eight of his 19 major league seasons in Boston, was in the clubhouse to greet Cespedes.
Boston needs outfielders with power since Shane Victorino was back on the disabled list because of hamstring and back problems.
Cespedes has 17 home runs and should benefit greatly playing his home games with the Green Monster in left.
At least that is the smart plan.