YankeesRedSox.com

In a blockbuster move, the Red Sox overhauled their starting rotation with the acquisition of Paul Byrd in return for Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester.

Which part of the above is false?

I'll quit playing around, the Red Sox did trade for Paul Byrd today for cash or a PTBNL.  Beckett and company are safe.

Byrd is a throwback and is capable of a decent workload.  He has made 31 starts in each of his previous 3 seasons and is on pace to do so again this year.  In 22 starts, he is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA.  Far from terrible, but not overwhelming.  Bryd doesn't strike anyone out (56 in 131 IP) but instead tries to keep hitters off-balance (don't all pitchers) with an array of off-speed stuff and a deceiving delivery.

With this trade, I bet we see Clay Buchholz sent down, especially since Charlie Zink has already been named starter for tonight's game.

Byrd represents an approximate $2.5mm rental (if I have my facts straight, Byrd signed a 2 year deal after the 2005 season with Cleveland that contained an option year which he is playing out right now).  If the Red Sox make the playoffs, I doubt Byrd would make the post-season roster, unless Tim Wakefield remains injured and even that isn't a certainty.

Good pick-up, an average arm, about the best you can expect this time of year, to add some depth to the starting ranks.