After their trade for A's pitcher Rich Harden fell through, it looked like the Red Sox would not make a move for a starter before today's 4pm non-waiver trade deadline expired.
Right before the deadline expired the Red Sox did acquire Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners. This move came hours before the news broke that Clay Buchholz' season may be over to due to a stress fracture in his lower back, an injury that has kept him out of action since late June.
Bedard is talented but comes with questions about his health and his ability to pitch effectively when in the spotlight. One of his former bosses with the Orioles, Jim Duquette stated that the Red Sox should avoid acquiring Bedard and there are doubts about his chances to be successful in Boston.
For now, Bedard looks to be the Red Sox third or fourth starter as he will join John Lackey in the slots behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.
Bedard may come with some doubts but, at least on paper, he is a better option that Andrew Miller or Tim Wakefield. Theo Epstein has earned a tip of the cap for making a move that provides the Red Sox with depth at starting pitcher, one of their few areas of weakness, as they prepare for the stretch run.
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