Boston's Adrian Gonzalez and the Dodgers' James Loney were scratched from their teams' starting lineups Friday night as the clubs tried to finalize a major trade involving the first basemen.
The Red Sox also were discussing sending pitcher Josh Beckett, left-fielder Carl Crawford and infielder Nick Punto to Los Angeles, a baseball official informed of the discussions said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Red Sox officials are trying to reduce payroll during a disappointing season.
"I think they're looking to put the ballclub in a better situation next year," David Ortiz said. "I'm not saying that we're going to be in a better situation without those players. We are about to find out."
Gonzalez was removed from the Red Sox lineup minutes before Boston's 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals, and Loney was pulled from the Dodgers lineup against the Miami Marlins. The Dodgers began the day in second place in the NL West, three games behind the San Francisco Giants.
"It's like I always say, you can't worry about things you can't control. The only thing we can control is what we do here, and that's to go out and try to win every game," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
"We have the talent here. It doesn't matter what the other clubs do."
The Red Sox started their game seven games under .500 and with little or no post-season hopes. If the trade is completed, the Red Sox would be relieved of a huge salary burden, assuming the Dodgers pick up most of what is owed. Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett are due $261 million from 2013-18.
Beckett was scheduled to pitch tonight.
Gonzalez's deal calls for $127 million after this season: $21 million annually from 2013-16 and $21.5 million in each of the final two years. Crawford is due $102.5 million over five years.
