Boston Red Sox: Should Boston Give Brad Penny Another Shot?

After there was little interest from major league clubs during the offseason, pitcher Brad Penny signed with the Softbank Hawks in Japan. According to MLB Trade Rumors, things didn't go as planned for Penny over there and he was granted his requested release. 

Now, Penny is looking to make a return to the major leagues and has several clubs to choose from, whether it be starting or as a reliever, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

Penny was an established major league pitcher for many years with the Florida Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers before coming over to the American League when the Boston Red Sox signed him to a contract during the 2008-09 offseason.

In 2009, Penny went 7-8 with Boston, posting a 5.61 ERA in 131.2 innings of work. He was very inconsistent throughout the entire season and the Red Sox ultimately released him in late August.

In his 12-year major league career, Penny is 119-99 with a 4.23 ERA split between six different clubs.

Boston has had trouble with their starting pitching this season, especially going deep into games to relieve the heavily-worked bullpen. The Red Sox signed several veterans to minor league deals during the offseason, including Vicente Padilla (now in the bullpen), Aaron Cook (currently on the 15-day DL) and Ross Ohlendorf (still in the minors).

With Penny having interest in returning to the majors, should Boston give him another shot?

If Penny is willing to pitch out of the bullpen or start, why not? Sign him to a minor league deal where he can start a few games before being called up. From there, see where he can be used best whether it be in the rotation or the bullpen.

Daisuke Matsuzaka should be back within the next few weeks as he continues to rehab in the minors, but who's to say he'll be back in 2008 form?

The Red Sox desperately need pitching help. Could Brad Penny be their guy?