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Sox get Byrd
Both the Red Sox and Indians have issued press releases announcing the deal ... here's an Associated Press story on the trade ...
BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox have acquired pitcher Paul Byrd in a trade with Cleveland.
The Red Sox will send either a player to be named or cash to the Indians.
The 37-year-old Byrd is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA this season. But the right-hander has won all four of his starts since the All-Star break.
Boston leads the AL wild-card race. The Red Sox are minus starter Tim Wakefield -- the knuckleballer is out with a stiff right shoulder.
This has Gagne written all over it. Welcome to Boston Mr. Byrd, let's hope you left your HGH in Cleveland and found some pitching skills at Logan.
Nick - please help me understand this move?
Nick - help us understand this move????
I say great move. I heard he made some adjustments in his pitching and he pitched really well in his last 4 starts- 4straight wins off-course. Buccholz can be send back to AAA to work on his stuff. Gives the Kid more time.
If this deal stunk of 'Gagne' we would have dropped two promising 'spects for him. No risk deal for the Sox.... With Wake on the mend, Clay looking for some consistency, and Colon taking longer than expected to bounce back, the Sox needed some depth at SP.
Now I can't make fun of Sidney Ponson anymore. Dark days...dark days indeed...
Mostly Running,
Read the trade before you compare this Gagne. We gave up alot to get the blotted closer last year, we gave up NOTHING to get Byrd. It's a risk free trial of a guy who can't be any worse than the Clay Buchholz.
www.masshysteriasports.com
Can't be worse than Bucholz has been, decent stats for what has been a brutal team this year, he can't hurt in that slot - and probably didn't take much to get him!
As long as he is better than Bucholtz is right now, then this is great.
Can't hurt to add another veteran and he has been money since the break..my questions is...can he hit in the four hole?
This isn't gagne, the sox aren't giving up anything. Is Bucholz better right now???
Worst trade ever for the Indians
Would you prefer Clay "deer in the headlights" Buchholz? We really need middle-relief help, but Byrd's got a decent arm.
Nick - help us understand this move???
in his last 4 games his era is 1.25 and now he has some run support. Alot more experience than buchholtz....
huh, did not see this one coming at all! byrd has been good since the all star break as he is 4 - 0 with an era under 2.00 so maybe he will be a good pick up for the sox. I dont think anyone can do as bad as gagne and the big diff between him and byrd is that he does not walk alot of batters and can throw strikes consistantly. He cant do any worse than clay and hopefully wake will be back as soon as possible. Our rotation would be better:
beckett
dice k
lester
wakefield
byrd
This isn't anything like Gagne. Gagne cost us good prospects and was supposed to be a big addition. Byrd costs basically nothing and is stop-gap pitcher to fill an immediate hole, nothing more
Bye Bye Buchholz. C-ya next year.
Nick - please help me understand this move???
The Red Sox officially just got uglier. Just look at this guy's mug! On the plus side, he can't be any worse than Buchholz right now.
Not really Gagne - this guy is practically free by comparison, and he ate us up during the ALCS last fall. Than again, Julio Lugo used to terrorize us when he played for Tampa and look how that worked out...
It sure doesn't hurt....guy was pretty good against the sox in the playoffs last year, lets hope there is still some gas in the tank
Not a major move, but I don't mind it. Gives you another arm that can go into the rotation or even go long out of the bullpen.
Let us not forget he was the best pitcher for the tribe in the 07 series against the Sox. Remember the job includes high and inside to A-Rod
ANOTHER BYRD IN BOSTON.
HOUSTON,THE BYRD HAS LANDED..
ALSO MASSACHUSETTS IS THE BAY STATE...GOODBYE MANNY AND GOOD RIDENCE
For such a small price this is a good move as Wakefield/Bucholz insurance.
Gagne? There's no Gabbard or Murphy, maybe cash only, so why the dumb comment? He's far betetr than the 2008 version of Buchholz.
I thought all trades had to be completed by the end of August or September.????
Nothing like Gagne situation at all! A win win situation for Sox-Small cost -possible big return. Byrd can still pitch and has won last four starts. For cash! We'll take it!
Remember YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH PITCHING!!!
Great move. You give up nothing and get an arm that while aging is certainly better than Clay Buchholz.. What are you talking about "Gagne written all over it". This is nothing like that trade. No real prospects given up unless Byrd preforms and he's a starter. Good move Theo!
I don't think it resembles Gagne - we had to give up some quality stuff for Gagne - this is the famed "player to be named" or cash. The guy shut us down in the playoffs last year, so I'm certainly willing to give him the benefit of the doubt - and Bucholtz needs to be moved out of the rotation asafp.
This has desperate written all over it. A washed up HGH using junk ball pitcher is now the 4th starter for the team... shows the confidence team has in Buchholz.
Gagne was obtained for 2 prospects. "Player to be named" or "cash" has $25K written all over it.
Don't judge a byrd by it's feathers!
Great move. You give up nothing and get an arm that while aging is certainly better than Clay Buchholz.. What are you talking about "Gagne written all over it". This is nothing like that trade. No real prospects given up unless Byrd preforms and he's a starter. Good move Theo!
Nick - help us understand this move????
I think its a great move. Wakefield's shoulder is a huge question mark and Clay's growing pains have become a liability down the stretch. Byrd's stats are terrible but he has been pitching very well in the second half. Its alot like the Colon signing in that they didn't risk too much and there's a possibility he will deliver some solid starts.
Hmmm. Maybe they should've let Schilling have his surgery earlier this year and he could've been back late August or early Sept. Say what you want about his mouth but he almost always delivered when they handed him the ball.
Let me see, the last Bird in Boston was fairly successful. This Byrd could be as well. Let's face it Buckholtz's struggles do not warrant throwing him out there every 5th day. Why not give this move a shot. Obviously Colon is not ready. As far
as the HGH comment do you think that ALL the Sox players are clean. This guy has always been a gutsy performer. I think it's a decent move.
I agree this is a pretty low risk move. And at this point we need to do what we can to gain ground in the AL East while Tampa is hurting. I say smart pick up
i dont see how this has gagne written all over it. we arent giving up much for bird. would you rather run clay buckholz back out there at this critical point in the year. i think we have seen enough of clay in 2008.
This is way better than Gagne. We gave up a young left-hander -- who had just gone 4-0 while subbing for D=Schill -- for Gagne. The gagnle trade was bad when we thought he could pitch, as we gave up a valuable prospect for the 'rent a player.' I hated that trade even when I thought Gagne would be OK. Obviously it worked out as Theo's worst moment while not wearing a gorilla suit...
A virtually no cost rental for the next 2 months... can't hurt as the Sox have become rather anorexic as far as the rotation is concerned. Down the stretch, to get Wake back healthy and have Byrd, Buchholz, and Colon for 5th starter options? Only makes the team better. Forget the "Gag-me" comparisons... it's nothing of the kind....
Wow it's angry hour for the computer nerds. Good move for the Sox.
Love how Buchholz is shite now. He was the next coming last year.
Terrific move for now. Red Sox don't give up anything much, and, he (Byrd) has been very good since the All Star break. Replacing Bucholz will be easy for him. He would just have to pitch one decent game (sorry for the dig Clay). Bucholz needs to go back down to the minors and get his head straightened out before he loses it completely. Is Byrd signed for next year, or is he a free agent?
He killed us last year. Good to have him on our side. Buchholz needs to regroup- he'll be fine but needs to get confidence back.
Nothing can be as bad as Gagme, welcome to beantown Byrd
This is exactly like Gagne in that Theo has picked up another player known to be a user of PEDs.
Great aquisition! Bryd was dominant during the post season last year.
Hopefully cash is all that's given up -
All you nay-sayers...remember when Byrd completely mowed down your lineup last year in the ALCS, he also did it to the yankees the series before. He has been unhittable in his last 4 starts...you got lucky
We're actually giving up players for him? If we wanted a crappy pitcher, we should have just signed Freddy Garcia for free. I'm glad we keep infusing the Indians farm system will talent. After all, why would we need guys like Kelly Shoppach?
Immense upgrade from Buccholz. Byrd is a solid veteran and a good guy.
These nay sayers don't know what they're talking about. This is nothing like Gagne, we gave up nothing for this guy and anyone who can walk to the mound is better than Buckholtz. This is a very good move for what was available given the regular trade deadline had passed. For once it seems Theo made a good move and gave up little for it. This guy is 4-0 since the break and right now we need decent starters that can go at least 6 or 7 innings ... which Buckholtz can't do. If you put our bats behind this guy he has at least 2 of his losses become wins ... which would make him 9-8 which is way better than Buck and even above Wake in W/L%. Nice move Theo!!
The Red Sox should pack it in this year. They have no chance whatsoever with all of the injuries.
forget about prospects lrts win today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve P--take your medication--Dr. Nick
Actually I'm surprised the Indians let Byrd go. You have to wonder what they were thinking. What the Sox were thinking is pretty obvious: Byrd was great in clutch situations (i.e., the playoffs) for the Indians last year. If they can just get THAT from him, the move will have been worthwhile, because clearly this was a move for RIGHT NOW. Feels like Clay will be the odd man out here, but he's not the 'right now', he's the 'someday, hopefully'.
Gator - why is this desparate? The Sox are taking a flyer on a pitcher for as you said $25K. We get so spoiled with how balanced and deep the Sox have been, it's OK to admit our weaknesses if it helps us catch first place. And if we wanted middle relief down the stretch, this might be it!
Steve P....can you please ask Nick to explain this once more?
Buchholz is downright awful these days. With a rotation that's ailing, any experience is a nice addition at this point. He's got that..all those HGH jokes are nearly as old by now as Byrd's age. Leave the dude alone and give him a chance to help us win a WS championship. You don't pay him. You don't trade for him. All you do is watch him pitch, and if his results are there, not ONE OF YOU will be lamenting this deal in the end.
Trust in Theo
ps - this is NOTHING like the Gagne deal. Nothing at all. Byrd is an innings-eater. And that
From a Boston native posted in Ohio:
Paul Byrd made a technical adjustment in his delivery and has been lights out since the All-Star Game: in his four starts since, he's 4-0 and has allowed four runs, including a complete-game win over Toronto on Sunday. This is not desperation, just taking advantage of the Indians' willingness to get something for him.
Veteran with post season experience who has won his last 4 with an ERA under 2 replaces kid with fewer than 20 ML starts who has lost every game since his recall.
The number 5 spot in the rotation should get 8 more starts. If the Sox go 5-3 rather than 2-6 in those starts with Byrd rather than Bucholz, that's a big difference. Also if Wakefield is worse off than hoped and Colon does not come back, Byrd becomes the 4th starter rather than having Bucholz and Zink/Pauley pitching 40% of remaining games.
Remember, Sidney "Catching lightning in a bottle" Ponson has helped keep the Yankees afloat at 7-3. Sometimes late pick-ups (Small and Chacon for the Yankees in 06 going back to Woody Fryman for Detroit in 1972) make all the difference.
Great move Theo.
How did he pass by the Yankees? They must be throwing in the white towel. Great no risk move. He can take bucholtz next start. If he lays an egg, pun intended,Colon will be ready by then.
This is a low risk deal. We're not dealing a number 5 starter the future runner up in the rookie of the year voting for 2008 for an overweight Canuck
He's won his last four starts...so seems to be on a positive roll...what do we have to lose? With Wake out and Bucholtz needing more AAA time...seems like a good move...
The Gagne reference was for being implicated in the Mitchell report, not for what the Sox might have to give up.
Might as well sign Bonds while Theo's at it.
Unbelievable. The Red Sox get a veteran arm for the stretch run with Wake hurting and Buchholz struggling for cash or a run of the mill prospect and people are taking time to slam it already? Cut me a break. This makes perfect sense and shows the front office isn't sitting still. Remember, this is the guy who beat the Yankees and Boston last year in the playoffs. And he's 4-0 since the All-Star break including a complete game victory last time out.
Great pickup from out of nowhere and it cost just about nothing.
What's with all the hostility towards Byrd? They could roll the corpse of Babe Ruth out there right now and it would do better than Bucholtz. He's not great, but he's got a sub-5 ERA and the best record since the All Star Break. He's not going to keep that up, but he's a good stop-gap.
Quit all the whining already, geez.
Would you prefer Clay "deer in the headlights" Buchholz? We really need middle-relief help, but Byrd's got a decent arm.
Nice to see the Sunday softball league burger flippers with their expert critique. "Didn't see it coming" because Theo doesn't hang out with you in your parents basement. Resembles Gagne because apparently you can't read the conditions of the transaction. Simply put (for the majority of the posters) this is a no risk rental for 2 months because the Sox need pitching help.
John from Post #20, "the Sox just got uglier..". You're reading the wrong blog. Try www.rainbows R us.com
I'll always contend that pitching wins games over hitting any day of the week and so I think this deal is fine. Just look at the Yanks for an example. Everyone here is just spoiled with big names when it takes a whole team to win not just Manny! He did great in the ALCS and will do fine here if he gets run support. Now that this deal is done I'm just wandering whose gonna start to bring the runners home since the only concern I have now is that they need to start to not leave so many on base.
Byrd pitched very well for Cleveland in the playoffs last year, he's a solid guy, good move
Would you prefer Clay "deer in the headlights" Buchholz? We really need middle-relief help, but Byrd's got a decent arm.
Im personally not a big PB fan and he has certainly had his struggles this year- he was a homerun machine through most of the season, but he has been much better recently. Supposedly he tweaked something with this windup that has really been working for him.
Dont forget that he was actually great during the playoffs last year for the Tribe, in both the ALDS and ALCS unlike Sabathia who most Indians fans wanted pushed up in place of Byrd for game 4 against the Yankees
The Red Sox should pack it in this year. They have no chance whatsoever with all of the injuries.
I didn't know the SOX were looking for old, washed-up pitchers. Hey Theo, I don't have a whole lot going on the next couple of months, and I won't charge you as much as Byrd for the games that I lose. Give it thought.
huh, did not see this one coming at all! byrd has been good since the all star break as he is 4 - 0 with an era under 2.00 so maybe he will be a good pick up for the sox. I dont think anyone can do as bad as gagne and the big diff between him and byrd is that he does not walk alot of batters and can throw strikes consistantly. He cant do any worse than clay and hopefully wake will be back as soon as possible. Our rotation would be better:
beckett
dice k
lester
wakefield
byrd
Nick, please help Steve P. understand this move so he can go back to his regularly scheduled life.
Excellent pickup...we gave up nothing for his experience and he's been pitching lights out since the allstar break. Other than the month of June this year he's been more than decent. A good #4, #5 starter. Definitely an upgrade from the way Bucholz has been pitching.
He always pitched well against us?
How can anyone be complaining about this deal? They gave up nothing but cash (or a player to be named) for a guy that is 4-0 since the all-star break w/ an ERA of 1.24 against the Angels, Tigers, Twins and Blue Jays. Great insurance for Wake/Buchholz, w/ much more upside if Byrd can keep it going. A bigger concern at this point is whether or not Francona has the stones to keep starting Lowrie at SS once Lugo is healthy.
Can someone please REPEAT that the Sox gave up 'nothing for this guy'?
At least 20 or 30 more times should do it...
Hey Steve P. - Speak for yourself. We already understnad this move and its a good one.
#70: "parents' basement!" Thank you so much for bringing it to that so quickly. Kill the thread, we've had a parents' basement.
For the 2nd year in a row, Epstein grabs a 2nd rate performance enhancer. Pauley and Zink have pitched well and deserved a call up before we go after someone like Byrd. It appears that Byrd located his missing stash when home over the AS break and has been pitching well but, how long will that last? As has been mentioned, at least we did not give 2 major leaguers, a franchise caliber prospect and millions in cash to get him. With TB losing Langoria and Crawford, we could have stayed pat. We will not be looking for Byrd to pitch in the post-season so, why pursue him now?
Smart move. no downside at all. His last 4 starts show he can pitch---if the Sox had had him pitching instead of Buchholtz since the break, they'd be tied for first. Nick doesn't have to explain the move: it's obvious.
Great move to shore up lack of backend SP down the strech, as far as not "understanding this move? Or comparing this to Gagne, do you understand the PTBNL or cash concept? This isn't close to last year deal, com'n, have you watched Clay the last 3 month? No composure...and you want to go into the last six weeks with that guy starting every fith day. Right....
huh, did not see this one coming at all! byrd has been good since the all star break as he is 4 - 0 with an era under 2.00 so maybe he will be a good pick up for the sox. I dont think anyone can do as bad as gagne and the big diff between him and byrd is that he does not walk alot of batters and can throw strikes consistantly. He cant do any worse than clay and hopefully wake will be back as soon as possible. Our rotation would be better:
beckett
dice k
lester
wakefield
byrd
I can't STAND people saying the Sox are washed up this year. Just because they're not blowing away every team you're ready to pack it in? Last year at this time they were 70-47. Right now they're an Angels sweep shy of that. So what, they're not as healthy as last year, but the Rays just got worse and the Yankees can't tell their arse from a hole in the ground. Someone said it earlier... pink hats - blah. Go root for the Angels or something, since you gotta go for the best record.
We gave up much more for Gagne than for Byrd. And with the health of our staff, we could use his arm. So, in the words of The Price Is Right, come one down! Give it a spin.
GREAT PICKUP. Do you short sighted sox fans remember what he did to us last year. And the year before. He was very effective in all of his starts against us. This can only help us. A crafty veteran with some playoff experience.
Neil Mack, why don't you shove your yankee mug back in the Hudson. Have fun watching us win it all again
Byrd has had some good stuff in the past and unlike the Gag deal the Sox don't give up talent to get. And with a lifetime BA of .154 he can pinch-hit for the Captain in a jam.
Bye Bye Buchholz. C-ya next year.
With Byrd in the fold, they just need to get Lance Parrish out of retirement now.
eh, i don't think it has gagne written all over it. i think they need a fifth starter and that's what they're getting. not to mention - the hgh did anything for byrd. he still threw like 2 mph. not a huge move, but he can be effective. solid move.
Oh well! at least football season is around the corner...how many days for spring training?
Lord... help me understand Steve P.
It sure doesn't hurt....guy was pretty good against the sox in the playoffs last year, lets hope there is still some gas in the tank
Paul Bryd is a decent pitcher, he has made adjustments and has been pitching really well. Give the guy a chance , you may be surprised! Long time Cleveland fan.
Buchholtz can't go out there again. Better to forfeit a game than to tire out the players and risk injuries when an "L" is guaranteed anyway. Byrd is on a roll and has a solid post-season record. Anybody who's complaining about this one understands nothing about baseball. Well done, Theo.
Come on Mostly Cynical, if you have ever paid any attention to baseball you'd understand this is nothing like Gagne. "Player to be named later or cash" should not be confused with "trading two players like Murphy and Gabbard." Sure, Byrd isn't going to nail a Cy Young anytime soon, but he's in the midst of a nice 4-game winning streak, and three of those teams were Minnesota, Anaheim, and Detroit. For not giving up much, there's very little risk here and he's a better option than bringing up some young talent that isn't ready yet (i.e. Michael Bowden).
ANOTHER BYRD IN BOSTON.
HOUSTON,THE BYRD HAS LANDED..
ALSO MASSACHUSETTS IS THE BAY STATE...GOODBYE MANNY AND GOOD RIDENCE
This has desperate written all over it. A washed up HGH using junk ball pitcher is now the 4th starter for the team... shows the confidence team has in Buchholz.
Gagne was obtained for 2 prospects. "Player to be named" or "cash" has $25K written all over it.
Mostly Running--
What? Gagne writting all over it? This is a salary dump for the Indians b/c they're out of the race already. And the Sox are giving up a player to be named (read: mid level prospect) or cash. And it's a waiver wire deal after the trade deadline.
This would actually be pretty much the opposite of the Gagne deal.
On the trade: what's not to like? Sox get a veteran arm to stabilize the back of the rotation. It ensures Masterson stays in the 'pen, and gives you the flexibility to take Buchholz out of the rotation if necessary, or take Wakefield's place if Wake ends up on the shelf for longer than expected.
ALL HAIL THEO!
Another Schilling...old, slow, and no where near as talented. You get what you pay for I guess!!
He'll probably pitch way better than Buchholz, that's for sure.
We're actually giving up players for him? If we wanted a crappy pitcher, we should have just signed Freddy Garcia for free. I'm glad we keep infusing the Indians farm system will talent. After all, why would we need guys like Kelly Shoppach?
What is so appealing about a right-handed pitcher with an ERA of 4.53, who has already surrendered 23 home runs? I dread to see him in the rotation.
Player to be named later=career minor leaguer. Can't hurt.
No this does not have Gagme written all over it The Redsox are giving up little to get a 5th starter.Clay is not handling it right now and i could care less about his upside, i was at Sundays game and had to dive for cover on the three homers rocket'd out of the cell he gave up....
Good Move, low cost, low risk. GO SOX!
Wow it's angry hour for the computer nerds
This guy killed us in the last ALCS... AND we get to see his old timey double wind-up.
Hmmmm.....All I remember is that Byrd was tough as nails on the Sox during the playoffs lat year. Let's see how he does.
He beat the Angels a few weeks ago, 5-2; who has been able to do that for the Sox?
How did he pass by the Yankees? They must be throwing in the white towel. Great no risk move. He can take bucholtz next start. If he lays an egg, pun intended,Colon will be ready by then.
It's a bird, it's a plane-Nah, it was just a Byrd.
Nick:
please answer Steve P so he will STFU!!!
On the move, this was a salary dump for Cleveland, it will cost the Sox nothing. Maybe a Charlie Zink type player if anything. It wasnt desperation, it was a move made because Buchholz stinks like i have always said he would. They are waiting for Colon to be ready, and Wakefield to come back. He's a pretty good 3rd starter on most teams, and he will be a 5th on this team...smart move IMO
I love this 'us', 'we' and 'our' stuff. Funny, I have never seen any of ya's playing for the Sox. What number do you all wear?? Oh sorry, besides you Gator Greenwell.