Gagne to Boston

As you probably have already heard, the Red Sox are close to finishing a deal where they send Kason Gabbard, David Murphy, and Engel Beltre (whom i wrote about here) to Texas for Eric Gagne. I am extremely excited about this deal. Gabbard is nice but nothing more than a #4-5, Murphy is a 4th outfielder, and Beltre is nice but only 17 years old and has a long way's away.

The bullpen will look like Tavarez/Snyder/Timlin/Delcarmen working primarily in the 6th and 7th or long relief. That leaves Gagne and Okajima to work the 8th and Papelbon closing. I could easily see Gagne closing a couple games, giving Paps a rest. It is hard to say this isn't a scary bullpen. When you consider that they will have Lopez, Breslow, Hansack, and Hansen in the minors, there are many many fall back options in case of emergency. Theo just shorten the game and i think that will pay dividends come October.