For what it's worth (probably not much) SI.com's Cliff Corcoran isnt a big fan of the Reddick for Baily swap.
The Red Sox are serious about Daniel Bard starting, aren't they? I still think that's a mistake on its own merits, and now they've downgraded rightfield to support the experiment, swapping out Reddick for Sweeney. Reddick is only two years younger than Sweeney and has flaws to be sure, most significantly his inability to get on base due to low averages and poor plate discipline, but he's a toolsy player who showed some promise in his rookie campaign last year (after cups of coffee in 2009 and 2010), and could eke out a career as a corner outfielder based largely on his power at the plate and play in the field. Sweeney, meanwhile, has proven himself to be overextended as a starter, particularly in a corner, due to an utter lack of power (.378 career slugging percentage after 1,681 plate appearances) and speed, only middling patience, and a career .233/.306/.289 line against lefties in 362 PA.
Unfortunately, this was part of a Hot Stove Roundup, so Corcoran doesn't have the space to explain why the Bard transition is a mistake. I don't see it. Worst-case scenario, he struggles as a starter and we convert him back to a reliever, bolstering the bullpen. Of course that would leave yet another hole in the rotation, but hey, we've got Pepe Silvia Carlos Silva. Problem already solved.
And I think Corcoran is greatly over-valuing Josh Reddick as well as the Sox need for a right fielder. We all got caught up in Reddick-fever with his ridiculous start, but all he really did was showcase himself and up his trade value. Reddick is never going to be Barry Bonds. And the Red Sox don't need Barry Bonds. The offense is already a juggernaut.
They just need someone competent that can put the ball into play and run down some fly balls until Kalish is ready to take over every-day duties (or they bring in someone new). And between McDonald, Sweeney and Aviles, we should have that capability. Getting someone to replace Reddick was never going to be hard. Getting a legitimate closer that can pitch in the AL East? Not quite as simple.
