About a week or so ago, Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told Daniel Bard to prepare as a starter for spring training. And with the move the Red Sox have reportedly made on Wednesday, it looks like that might come to fruition.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com via Twitter, the Red Sox have traded infielder Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland to the Houston Astros for closer Mark Melancon.
Melancon was a ninth round draft choice of the New York Yankees in 2006 and actually made his MLB debut against the Red Sox on April 26, 2009. In that debut, he threw two innings, allowing one hit and a walk with a strikeout. He was traded to the Astros in 2010 at the trade deadline for Lance Berkman.
He appeared in 71 games for the Astros in 2011 as he garnered an 8-4 record with a 2.78 ERA and 20 saves. He struck out 66 batters in 74.1 innings. He took over as the Astros closer in the middle of the 2011 season for former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills.
It’s expected that Melancon will take over the closer role for the Red Sox with Jonathan Papelbon off to the Philadelphia Phillies. Many thought Bard would be given the chance to close but obviously that doesn’t look like it’s happening now.
Personally I think that Bard ends up being the closer next year for the Red Sox with Melancon setting up for him. If Bard were to falter in the role, I see them reversing roles. Of course Bard going back to closing all depends on what happens with how Cherington rounds out the Red Sox rotation.
As far including Lowrie in the deal, it looks as though the Red Sox have given up on him. He’s battled through injuries during his tenure in Boston but when he’s healthy, he’s been a valuable and productive member of the team. Given that he can play all four infield positions and rakes against lefties, I don’t quite understand the move. Hence why I think they’ve given up on him.
Weiland struggled with the Red Sox in 2011. He made seven appearances (five starts), going 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA. He more than likely would have spent the 2012 in Triple-A but now should compete for a spot in the Astros starting rotation.
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