Paul Byrd

d Sox placed Tim Wakefield on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation, and subsequently traded for Paul Byrd.  Byrd was 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA with Cleveland, but is 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA since the All-Star break.  Boston is currently four games behind Tampa Bay for the lead in the AL East, but leads the AL Wild Card race by two games over the White Sox, five games over the Yankees and seven games over the Rangers.  If Byrd pitches well down the stretch he could give the Red Sox a boost to the postseason.  He was 2-0 in the playoffs last year.

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Mets may still get some help from outside.  Starting pitchers such as Livan Hernandez (Twins), Paul Byrd (Indians), and Jarrod Washburn (Mariners), relievers such as Scott Eyre (Cubs), Luis Ayala (Nationals), and David Weathers (Reds), and outfielders such as Craig Monroe (Twins), Randy Winn (Giants), and Brian Giles (Padres) are all candidates to clear waivers and change teams before the August 31 non-waiver trade deadline.  And then there's always the option of free agent starter Freddy Garcia, who is working out and will be ready to pitch within a week or two, according to his agent.  Hernandez and Monroe have already been designated for assignment by Minnesota, so depending on the severity of the inuries to Maine and Ryan Church, the Mets may consider either player as an option.  As I've said all along, I think Brian Giles is the best fit for the team despite his left-handedness, so I hope he becomes available.

Continue reading "Mets Look to Bounce Back at Home"