Hardball Heaven

Only in Boston can the trade of a fifth/sixth starter, an inconsistent one at that, make the news cycle go for a full 24 hours or more. As Sox fans, we do sometimes care and know too much for our own good. Hell, we take pride in knowing the names of the team doctors. It's an environment that Bronson Arroyo fell madly in love with, and one that David Wells can't wait to shake.

Today's the day Bronson says his goodbyes to his pals in Fort Myers, and there is a tinge of sadness. Arroyo was inconsistent, but still was an innings-eater capable of winning mid-teen games. And seemingly a valuable chit to have in the bullpen. His biggest mistake was blind faith. He signed the discount deal in January, bought a place in Boston, and was excited to be a Red Sox for the next three years. Things changed, though. Wells announced his willingness to remain in Boston. Matt Clement has had a solid spring and is harder to trade with his bulky contract. So in a way, we shouldn't be surprised - we knew it was only a matter of time until a pitcher was traded, and all signs pointed to Bronson, who will of course be fondly remembered as the guy who A-Rod foolishly bitch-slapped on his way to first base in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS.

As for Wily Mo Pena, from reading the papers this morning we've either got the next coming of Willie Mays or the Dominican version of Dave Kingman with no glove. I still don't see him being an everday OF, but he's good insurance for Trot in two ways: Trot's bound to get hurt at some point, and Wily Mo can step in - and this is a contract year for Nixon, meaning they could be short on OF's if he decides to walk. Either way, I'm still on board with the trade, and the people who are saying that Bronson was misled by the Sox are wrong. Arroyo and his agent have both been on the radio in the last 12 hours, and despite the urgings of some talk-show hosts to ignite a controversy - both have absolved the Sox of any moral wrongdoing.