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Red Sox acquire RHP Byrd from Indians

The Boston Red Sox acquired Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

Soft-tosser comes to aid the Sox

The Boston Red Sox bolstered their rotation Tuesday, acquiring veteran righthander Paul Byrd from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The 37-year-old Byrd is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA this season. But he has won all four of his starts since the All-Star break with a 1.24 ERA.

Byrd seemed obviously upset and shocked at the move.

“Give me a few minutes before I talk,” Byrd said as he packed up in the Indians clubhouse. “I’m not lucid right now. I’m saying funny things. Give me a half-hour and I’ll talk.”

My take

This isn’t supposed to be a major impact trade like the Bay/Manny deal. The Sox are simply addressing a need in their rotation right now. Tim Wakefield, a consistent innings-eater, hits the DL and Clay Buchholz is having a sophomore slump. Theo knows with the Rays wounded (Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria on the DL), now is the time to gain ground on them. Hopefully a change of scenery won’t affect Byrd’s hot streak.

Discussion

One comment for “Red Sox acquire RHP Byrd from Indians”

  1. I love the addition of a veteran arm to help down the stretch. Byrd happens to be a veteran on a hot streak at a time when the red sox need a consistent no. 5 starter.

    Posted by KC | August 13, 2008, 10:19 am

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