BoSox trade for Byrd
August 12, 2008 by Jim Mulligan
Filed under Major League Baseball, Red Soxs
Today the Sox traded the “infamous player to be named later” or cash considerations to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Paul Byrd. The veteran righty is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA this year but since the All Star break, he is 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA. In those last four games, he’s gone deep into his starts going 5.1, 7.2, 7.0 and 9.0 innings.
His addition to the rotation should help out as the Sox are down to Lester, Beckett & Dice-K. With the recent injury to Tim Wakefield and the growing pains of Clay Buchholz, Byrd will be expected to step into the #4 spot in the rotation. He is currently making $7.5M and is going to be a UFA at seasons end.
This appears to be a solid pickup but my question is this. With the passing of the trade deadline on July 31, every transaction from that point on will require players to pass through waivers. In the Junior Circuit, where was Chicago (Sox), New York (Yanks) and Texas? In the Senior Circuit, where was Milwaukee, St. Louis, New York (Mets), Florida, Houston and the LA Dodgers?
All of these teams are behind Boston and in the Wild Card chase and could have put in a waiver claim before the Red Sox to get Byrd to A) help their rotation and or B) prevent Boston from picking him up.
I should also mention Division leaders Minnesota and Philadelphia with the group of teams chasing the Wild Card that could have claimed Byrd before the Red Sox.
Can anyone explain how eleven teams chasing the Wild Card and Division leads passed up on a guy who is 4-0 - 1.24 ERA in his last four starts? Can anyone explain why a team wouldn’t spend the $2.5M (approximately) on a veteran starting pitcher coming down the stretch? Anyone?
Tonight the good guys face the Texas Rangers tonight for the first of three at Fenway Park. The only other time the teams have faced each other was at Fenway back in April where the Sox swept the Rangers in a four game series. The Rangers, as I mentioned above, are fighting to stay alive in the Wild Card chase. Realistically, if Boston wins two of three, it could be lights out for the Ranger Wild Card hopes.
Tonight Charlie Zinc makes his MLB debut on the hill. Zinc comes up from Pawtucket(AAA) and has a solid season in the minors to this point. He’s 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA for the PawSox. Zinc is replacing Tim Wakefield who took a cortisone shot to his ailing pitching shoulder. The Sox are shelving Wake to prevent a similiar scenario as last year when Wakefield was left off the Playoff Roster. I wouldn’t expect a 9 inning effort from Zinc as he’s pitching on three days rest tonight.
Probable Pitching Matchups for the series:
Tuesday
Zinc (0-0 0.00) vs. Feldman (4-5 4.82)
Wednesday
Lester (10-4 3.23) vs. Mendozza (3-5 7.50)
Thursday
Matsuzaka (13-2 2.90) vs. Padilla (12-6 4.85)
Tomorrow, Wednesday August 13th, is my dad’s birthday. I know he’s taking the day off from work and I hope Jim Sr. and my mom, Grace have a great day together. I also know they are going to be watching John Lester pitch while using my season tickets. Enjoy it Dad & Mom!
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August 12th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I hope this guy can can make an impact,with the Rays losing Longoria and Crawford,now is the time for the boys to take back the division.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Hey Adam,
First off, thanks for reading my stuff.
More importantly, are you watching this debacle tonight? The Sox put up 10 in the first inning and here we are in the top of the 7th losing 16-14. Like I said, I wasn’t expecting Zinc to go the distance but the middle relief has got to be better if they want to catch Tampa and do some damage in the playoffs.
Byrd’s gonna be a #4 starter and to realistically think he’s going to continue with a 1.24 ERA would be asking too much. You can’t expect him to be the second coming of Clemens but you hope he’s not another 2008 Clay Buchholz.
He’s got playoff experience so he shouldn’t panic down the stretch. If I remember correctly, he pitched the series clincher for Cleveland against the Yanks in the ALDS last year - and he pitched well against the Sox in the ALCS.
Middle relief is where the Sox need to be better. The starters, Dice-K, Beckett & Lester are fine…Paps in the 9th is fine. It’s innings 6,7,8 that are the weak link.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Another quality arm never hurts and possibly getting another bat would definitely enhance the Sox chances in the playoffs.
Nice job getting this up Jim!
August 12th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Oh and great point Jim on so many teams passing up on Byrd!
August 12th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I am sure Shapiro spoke with other teams prior to the trade and they didn’t want him. They would have to re-discuss the trade to try to pick him up. It would be a waste of time and probably piss some other GM’s off. I am sure they like to stay on working terms and remain professional with each other.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Think the Redsox will break anymore news on Byrd using HGH before his next start in Fenway? lol
Anyways, I’ll comment on the Yankees-Byrd in my blog today. I can see the logic on why some would think they should grab him, but there is also an argument to be made on why they passed on him.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Hey Joe. Good to see the enemy (LOL - you know) chime in. As always, I hinge on your Yankee thoughts. I will contact you tonight about that thing we spoke about earlier this summer.
Oh and to answer your question. Nah, I think the Red Sox chiming in about his alledged HGH use days are done.