Paul Byrd Was Almost a Yankee
By Mike Silva ~ August 28th, 2009. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Joel Sherman updates us on how Paul Byrd was almost a Yankee and why he is the reason for the Chris Carter claim.
If you remember, I suggested the Yankees take a look at Byrd earlier this month. Apparently, Brian Cashman and company were thinking the same as they were Byrd’s first choice. What held up the deal was the fact the Yankees would not guarantee Byrd a September 1st call up. The Yankees, knowing this requirement by Byrd, wanted to create 40 man roster chaos for Boston (Dice-K, Carter, and Byrd all need 40 man roster spots), thus putting in the claim. How ironic that a former Met and the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry is the reason that Carter will have to wait till spring training to show us what he’s got. The big loser in all this is a young player that is trying to make it in the big leagues.
Also, the Yankees could very well use Byrd this season and regret not guaranteeing him the call up. He easily could do a better job than Chad Gaudin and/or Sergio Mitre. Heck, I might trust him in a big game over Joba at this point. I think the best alignment for the Yanks is a veteran number four starter and Joba in the bullpen for the postseason. It aligns with his innings limitations and doesn’t put him in a pressurized spot which, quite frankly, he has yet to prove he can handle. There still is the weekend to work out a deal for another starter and, as Anaheim proved, you can obtain something of value through waivers if the price is right. Jon Garland anyone?
Paul Byrd joined us on NYBD radio back in May to talk about his book “Free Byrd” , his time in the big leagues, and the possibility of coming back this season.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I have a difficult time buying into Sherman’s theory. The Red Sox already have two open spots on the 40 man roster to add both Byrd and Dice-K after adding Wagner. I honestly think the move was made more to block the Mets as payback for sending Wagner to Boston, as they really aren’t creating any issues for the Red Sox by blocking him from leaving. The big loser here is Carter, who had a great opportunity to get some real time in the big leagues and maybe make an impression somewhere. It’s even worse that someone in the Yankees front office is willing to admit to the press that they halted the kid’s big chance just to annoy the Red Sox (or more likely the Mets).