Red Sox make some moves
Posted on August 7, 2009
Filed Under 2009 Season | Leave a Comment
The past few weeks have reminded Sox fans of the 2006 season a bit too much. I suppose that’s why Theo Epstein has decided to try and do something about it before it’s too late. He’s made the following moves:
Move: Paul Byrd signed to a minor league deal
Reason: Smoltz, Penny, and Buchholz don’t seem to be getting the job done. Wakefield is still on the DL with a strained back and looks terrible when he tries to run or work-out. Paul Byrd will hopefully eat up some innings for the team.
Move: John Smoltz designated for assignment
Reason: This one is pretty obvious. Smoltz has put up a 8.32 ERA in 40 innings while making 8 appearances. He’s got a nice and hefty 1.7 WHIP and isn’t fooling any hitters. This puts intense wear-and-tear on the bullpen and lends to the Sox being out of games before they have a chance to get a win.
Move: Billy Traber designated for assignment
Reason: Traber was only signed as a mop-up man and he ‘sort of’ did his job last night. He pitched 3.2 innings and gave up 9 hits, 1 walk, and 5 runs. It doesn’t look like Traber will ever be able to get any important outs and he won’t ever be a solid relief guy for the Sox.
Move: Junichi Tazawa called up from Triple-A
Reason: Tazawa has been tearing it up in Pawtucket and will help shore up the Sox bullpen. The ‘pen has been incredibly depleted as of late thanks to non-quality starts by Buchholz, Penny, and Smoltz.
Move: Chris Woodward claimed off waivers from Seattle
Reason: Jed Lowrie did something to himself last night that made it so he had to be replaced in the game by Nick Green. Despite having some depth on the corner parts of the infield, the middle is thin if Lowrie can’t play. Woodward is a poor hitter but has the defensive skills to play any position in the infield.
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