The Red Sox bringing in center fielder Marlon Byrd -- and word is trade talks have progressed to the point where he may be in Boston Sunday -- feels just a little bit desperate.
Byrd is batting .070 for the Cubs, the result of three hits -- all singles -- in 43 at-bats. He has hit .230 since being struck in the face by a pitch from the Red Sox's Alfredo Aceves last summer. Byrd was hitting above .300 at the time of that unfortunate incident.
Maybe the Red Sox are indeed a bit desperate, with Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford out for a few more weeks, at least. And Byrd is an established center fielder, so he brings defense, anyway. Reinforcement Jason Repko hurt his shoulder banging into the wall Friday night, so the situation became even more concerning.
Byrd makes $6.5 million, but presumably the Cubs will take care of a substantial portion of that. At this point, it might be worth a shot for the Red Sox, which may be the best you can say for it.
The Cubs can't expect much back ine the way of player compensation either. Early reports have speculated on reliever Michael Bowden. He lives in suburban Chicago, so the trade might work out best for him if he is indeed part of it.
