The Boston Red Sox acquired reliever David Aardsma from the White Sox today for two long-shot prospects.
Aardsma, entering his age-26 season, previously played for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs and lost his 40-man roster spot (he is out of options) to the Pale Hose’s two new relievers of Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink.
He’s whiffed 85 batters in 85.1 innings the last two years, so his stuff is there. Alas, he’s also walked 45 over that period of time, so it’s no wonder why he was available.
Since Aardsma is out of options, he becomes an immediate candidate to take a bullpen role with the Red Sox, most likely at the expense of Kyle Snyder, who recently just avoided arbitration by agreeing to a non-guaranteed, $835,000 contract.
Last year, Aardsma threw 32.1 innings of a 6.40 ERA (39 H, 23 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 36 K) so he has a lot of work ahead of himself.
Still, for Aardsma’s upside, age and no loss of any significant prospects (Willy Mota and Miguel Socholovich head to Chicago), it’s a great flier for Boston.
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I like this move…worth giving Farrell a chance to straighten out Aardsma’s mental issues. The guy can be unhittable when his head is on straight.
Of course, he’s a Sabean first-rounder…and with the exception of some dude named Lincecum, those never pan-out.
He has got a Hot Sister. Amanda.
Kyle Snyder just had a good year as middle reliever, is capable of alot of innings, and seems to have already put his head on straight. He could be headed for a better year, and we will NEED alot of innings from the Pen in 2008, anticipating fragility issues from the Rotation.
It’s good to have another gun under such circumstances. Perhaps not acquiring Dotel for 11M will work in our favor after all. Let’s hope David and Coach Farrell can make it happen, as he could be an answer for the long haul.