Sox acquire Paul Byrd from Indians

The Red Sox have acquired veteran RHP Paul Byrd from the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Byrd will be slotted into the starting rotation in place of struggling RHP Clay Buchholz Friday against Toronto. Byrd, 37, was 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA in 22 starts with Cleveland, allowing 66 earned runs on 146 hits over 131 innings pitched, striking out 56 and walking 24. In his last five starts with the Indians, dating back to July 9, Byrd allowed seven earned runs on 34 hits over 35 innings pitched, striking out 17 while walking eight, for a record of 4-0. The Sox are reportedly considering their options regarding Buchholz, such as optioning him to Pawtucket, and GM Theo Esptein indicated they will have more definitive plans in the next few days, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Boston has until January 15, 2009 to designate the player to be named, if they elect go that route. Epstein was quoted as saying that the deal would be completed for " a small amount of cash, or an organizational player.''

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