Breaking News: Paul Byrd traded to Red Sox

MLB.com is reporting that Inidan's starter Paul Byrd has been traded to the Red Sox for a player to be named later.

Boston is getting Byrd at his best. After a rough first half in which he seemingly couldn't keep the ball in the park, Byrd changed his windup, rediscovered his curveball, curtailed the home runs and gone 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break. He is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA in 22 starts overall.

"I knew I had to do something different," Byrd said after a complete-game victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday. "I had to change. I feel good with where I'm at right now. I'm very confident. Better late than never."

If you're wondering how this is possible after the July 31st trade deadline...

Once the July 31 Trade Deadline passes, teams must put players through waivers before trading them. Every other team has the option of claiming a waived player, in reverse order of the standings. The team putting the player through waivers can then either let the player go, pull him back or try to work out a deal with the team that claimed the player.

Bottom Line: With Wake on the DL, Buchholz struggling and Colon not ready, adding Byrd should definitely help the Sox... though I have to admit, I was hoping Zink might stick around a little longer than one start.

More to come...

UPDATE: Extra Bases says the deal is a "for for a player to be named or cash. The player to be named must be agreed upon on or before January 15, 2009." - Which is good, because Byrd ain't worth one of our prospects...