Yesterday, David Wells pitched a simulated game in Oakland. According to Terry Francona, he threw well. While we don’t know if he’s going on a rehab start or not, if he doesn’t, he could possibly start this coming Sunday.
The off-day on Thursday is being planned to allow Kason Gabbard to head to the bullpen and head to a 4-man rotation for the time being. However, the funny thing is that Francona is averse to using Gabbard out of the pen due to Gabbard’s arm troubles. In essence, we’re wasting a roster spot with Gabbard.
That can be solved, and likely will be, with the addition of David Wells this Sunday, barring the acquisition of a starting pitcher. A starting pitcher acquisition may mean that Wells makes a rehab start.
However, there’s no question that Wells is close to a return. The only issue we have with Wells is if he’ll be completely healthy or not. If he is, that’s about ten starts the rest of the way that Kason Gabbard, David Pauley, Kyle Snyder, et. al would have made. Not only can Wells outproduce these pitchers right now, but sometimes the name also is intimidating. For example, would you rather face John Lackey or Johan Santana? Santana’s ERA is 3.00, and Lackey’s is 2.80.
In 30 starts with the Red Sox last year, Wells went 15-7 with a 4.45 ERA, with a 1.31 WHIP. His ERA the second half of the season was 3.93, which could possibly show him readjusting to the American League (or not, but still).
Acquiring another starter and getting Wells back would dramatically fill our rotation out and make it deep once again. If Wells is the only thing to change in terms of the starting rotation, then it’s still a boon because where there was once Kyle Snyder and Kason Gabbard, there is now David Wells and Kyle Snyder.
While I still want the Red Sox to acquire a starter, the fact that David Wells has gone from “beyond hope” to “returning in a week” is a great lift and takes pressure off Theo to get something done. Instead of a panic move such as re-acquiring Doug Mirabelli, he can afford to be more judicious with who he trades to get a legit starter.
