Andrew Bailey Traded to Red Sox for Reddick, Prospects

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ December 28, 2011 at 6:46pm ⋅ Post a comment

Andrew Bailey (By Jason O. Watson, US PRESSWIRE)

The Red Sox have acquired their replacement for Jonathan Papelbon at closer: 27-year-old righty Andrew Bailey.

Trade Details:

Red Sox Get:	A’s Get:
RP Andrew Bailey OF Ryan Sweeney	OF Josh Reddick 1B Mike Head (prospect) P Raul Alcantara (prospect)

Bailey, who is under team control until 2014, has a 2.07 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, a 9.0 K/9 and 75 saves over three big league seasons. Last year, he battled a forearm strain injury, finishing with 24 saves and a 3.24 ERA.

Sweeney, who will be 27 before the season, can play each outfield position. He has hit .283/.342/.378 across parts of six major league seasons. He’s been better against righties (.296/.352/.402) in his career, so the Red Sox may use him in a platoon situation in right field with a right-handed hitter like Ryan Kalish.

Reddick, 24, had a solid season last year playing for the injured J.D. Drew, hitting .280/.327/.457 in 87 games. His departure makes room for Kalish in right.

The trade also signifies that the Red Sox appear to be ready to commit to Daniel Bard as the team’s No. 4 starter. It also means the newly acquired Mark Melancon will be the team’s setup man.

Bobby Jenks, Matt Albers, Alfredo Aceves (who could start, too) will all be in the bullpen mix.