The Red Sox have made yet another move, this time bolstering their pitching staff after Tim Wakefield’s recent injury.  Boston has acquired veteran starter Paul Byrd from the Cleveland Indians in a waiver wire deal for cash or a PTBNL.

The 37-year-old Byrd is essentially an average American League pitcher these days, with an ERA+ of 96 this season.  Byrd has a 1.80 ERA in his last 5 starts, and is coming off of a complete game victory against Toronto on August 9th.   Known for an unorthodox delivery and excellent control, Byrd has only walked 24 batters in 131 innings (a rate of 1.65 per 9 innings).  He features a 85 MPH fastball, a 78 MPH changeup with some outward screwball-esque movement, a curveball and a slider.

It’s a quality addition for Boston.  Someone who’s been around the block, doesn’t make too many mistakes, and can fill in as the 5th starter in the events that Wakefield can’t pitch or Buchholz continues to be disastrous.  He’s basically the polar opposite of Daisuke Matsuzaka: he gives up more base hits than most AL starters (a byproduct of being around the plate as often as he is), but the lack of walks mitigates the damage.

Make no mistake, Byrd is a guy who could use the help of some run support on most nights.  The team has averaged 5.7 runs per game since the acquisition of Jason Bay, so Byrd should at least prove to be a serviceable 5th/6th starter for the next two months.