Andrew Bailey Signifies Huge Win for Boston Red Sox Brass

Before today, if I were to pick a theme song for the current Boston Red Sox off season, Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" would be almost too fitting of a choice.

That may no longer be the case.

Earlier today, it was reported that Boston will be trading Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantara for Ryan Sweeney and Andrew Bailey. It's not a grand slam, it's not that coveted No. 2 pitcher, but thank God it's something.

Boston hasn't been completely quiet. They re-signed David Ortiz, cashed in their option on Marco Scutaro, signed Nick Punto, signed Kelly Shoppach and acquired Mark Melancon. But in the end that was just child's play. While the big boys were signing Albert Pujols and trading for Gio Gonzalez, Boston was twiddling their thumbs in the sand box.

Not anymore.

Boston had engaged in talks with the Athletics during the Winter Meetings, but completely balked at the price of top prospect Will Middlebrooks for Bailey. Then, Boston attempted a mega deal that would have landed both Bailey and starter Gio Gonzalez, but to the Washington Nationals went the spoils.

So, there's not much to dislike about this deal.

First of all, it did not involve Middlebrooks (if that had happened I might have had to occupy Fenway until Ben Cherington was fired). Secondly, it fulfills two major needs.

The lesser of the two is the fourth outfielder spot. Boston has not had a proper backup outfielder since the days of Dave Roberts. Now they've got 26-year-old Ryan Sweeney. He isn't a spectacular hitter, excelling in neither power nor speed, but he's better than Darnell McDonald (who hit .236 last season). Most of Sweeney's value comes from his glove. He is best suited for a corner outfield spot (0.9 career UZR in left field, 23.7 in right), but can fill in at center if need be.

The biggest factor of this win is Boston acquiring Bailey. Bailey, a former Rookie of the Year, is only 27 and is a great closer. In three seasons with the A's he has 75 saves, a 2.07 ERA, a 3.55 K/BB ratio and a stellar 0.954 WHIP. The right-hander throws a mid-high 90s fastball (with great location), a punch-'em-out cutter and mixes in an adequate curve.

A lot of Boston's September woes came from a lack of starting pitching depth, but let's not ignore how bad the bullpen was. If your name wasn't Alfredo Aceves, you couldn't get an out. Boston now features one of the deepest bullpens in baseball. They still have Aceves to work the sixth/seventh inning bridge, two superb setup men in Melancon and Bard and a closer to brag about in Bailey.

This trade isn't legendary, and it doesn't fix the starting pitching. Instead, it's a really good start to repairing the pitching, and gives Boston a huge leg up. If nothing else it's a morale boost to the front office and the fan base.

Great job Ben, now let's keep 'em coming.