Rumor: Julio Lugo for Eric Byrnes?

Posted on December 11, 2008
Filed Under 2009 Season | Leave a Comment

UPDATE: It appears this deal could be dead in the water because the Diamondbacks have signed second baseman Felipe Lopez as well as utility man Augie Ojeda. Oh well.

This is a bit of an odd trade rumor but the Red Sox are in discussions with the Diamondbacks. The swap would involve Julio Lugo for Eric Byrnes. This seems like something that would be too good to be true for the Red Sox.

Byrnes is 32 and has the makings of a terrific back-up outfielder. His salary is a bit high (Ready for this? He made $6,666,666 last year, creepy eh?) but that is still half of what Julio Lugo makes annually. The Red Sox would pick up a decent bat (.263/.325/.446 lifetime) and an excellent clubhouse guy. Hell, he even has a dog named Bruin! Can you think of a better city for his doggy to go to than Boston?

Here is where the trade DOESN’T make sense though. Why would the Diamondbacks want Julio Lugo? They have a young phenom at SS named Stephen Drew. It could be possible that they want Lugo to move to 2B because they’re losing Orlando Hudson to free agency.

Whatever, I’m game as long as we get a competent 4th outfielder and we no longer have to see Julio Lugo playing shortstop.