Sox add an arm, obtain Byrd from Tribe

08/12/2008 4:05 PM ET
Sox add an arm, obtain Byrd from Tribe
Veteran right-hander has been sterling since the All-Star break
By Mark Remme / MLB.com

BOSTON -- The Red Sox helped bolster their ailing starting rotation on Tuesday by dealing for Indians right-hander Paul Byrd.

Byrd, a 13-year veteran who spent the last three seasons in Cleveland, comes to Boston for a player to be named later or cash.

It's coming at a time where Byrd is performing the best he has all season. He's 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break.

The Red Sox won't have to wait long for Byrd to contribute. He will start Friday in place of Clay Buchholz.

At this stage of the campaign for the Sox, if there is an area of the roster that is in need of help due to injury, it's the starting rotation. Curt Schilling didn't throw a pitch in 2008 before season-ending shoulder surgery in June, Bartolo Colon has been on the disabled list since mid-June and, most recently, Tim Wakefield was sent to the 15-day DL over the weekend with tightness in his throwing shoulder.

Couple that with stints on the DL by both Daisuke Matsuzaka and Buchholz -- 0-5 since his return in mid-July -- a little insurance in Boston's rotation might be more than helpful down the stretch.

Byrd's arrival should aid that trend by lending veteran leadership along with versatility. He's 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA for the Indians, who are last place in the AL Central. But more importantly, he hasn't started less than 31 games in a season since 2004 with Atlanta.

And for Byrd, this might be the opportunity he's been waiting for to make another push toward a title.

"There's a couple years where you're just happy to be here," Byrd said on Saturday. "Then all of a sudden, you realize you play this game because you want to win and want to win a World Series. I'd love an opportunity to do that."

Byrd was consistently effective in 2007 for the Tribe, owning a 15-8 record while helping Cleveland to the American League Championship Series, losing the seven-game series to the eventual champion Red Sox.

Given that the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline is passed, Byrd must be passed through waivers before being traded. Every other team has the option of claiming a waived player, in reverse order of the standings. The team putting the player through waivers can either let the player go, pull him back or try to work out a deal with the team that claimed the player.

Byrd, who made his Major League debut in 1995, spent time with the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Royals, Angels before his time with the Indians. He's 104-91 lifetime with a 4.37 ERA.

Mark Remme is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Why the didn't Detroit do this!!!

All I have to say is

Maybe since the Tribe got rid of all of their good guys we will be able to beat them when we see them next.

And the Red Sox are the winners of the waiver claims!
Adding a good arm to a predominant rotation, they will be hard to hit for any club now.

ugh sawx

mrsrabelo wrote:

All I have to say is

Maybe since the Tribe got rid of all of their good guys we will be able to beat them when we see them next.

Tigers can't beat him


Unless they play Boston in the playoffs; it won't be a problem rest of the year