Bruce Chen is not the Answer

The 2011 journey for the Boston Red Sox, from World Series penciled-ins to bust is almost complete (Think I don't have a good feeling about tonight?). There is one game remaining in the regular season. The Red Sox still have a mathematical chance to get into the playoffs and there is a very good chance there could be a playoff game between Boston and the Tampa Bay rays tomorrow if neither of the two teams are able to clinch tonight.

The starting pitching for the Red Sox has been terrible (insert John Lackey line here). I have no idea how many chances Tim Wakefield got for his 200th career win. Things have gotten so bad the Red Sox are considering a trade should a 163rd game be necessary. Right now reports from foxsports.com are centering around Bruce Chen, a lefty for the Kansas City Royals whose numbers (12-8, 3.98) whose numbers aren't spectacular. his wins would tie him for third on the Red Sox with Lackey and his ERA would actually be in the top 10 of the staff, not figuring having enough innings to qualify.

For all we know, Chen could help the Red Sox. His pitching could give other starters as well as the bullpen a rest. That is not the point. The point is the 2011 season is a lost cause. the Red Sox had time after chance after oppurtunity to wrap up the division, let alone clinch the Wild Card. They went from Major League Powerhouse to swooning choke artists.

This deal is bad for the team in so many ways. Chen is a free agent after the season. the Royals, perenial "Have Nots" when discussing the finances and economics of Major League Baseball, will be looking for cheap Major League talent that usually comes in the form of triple A prospects who are not far from being ready for the Bigs. The Red Sox will be giving up good minor league prospects for the ultimate example of a Rent-A-Player. This makes no sense for a team that stopped looking like a playoff contender at the end of last month.

It would be tempting to look at the standings and the schedule and the tribulations that the 2011 Boston Red Sox pitching staff has faced and say, "Let's do this deal." The harsh reality is, if they do make the playoffs, they will be dead on arrival. Chen could be gone and the Red Sox will have lost players that could have been useful cogs for the team down the road.