After suffering a five-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees, the Red Sox might have to begin looking toward 2007. If Boston does cut bait on this season, David Wells will be available to the highest bidder.
Wells
Wells cleared waivers on Aug. 3, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports. That means if the Red Sox wanted to trade him they could do so to any team they want.
Wells (2-3) fared best among Red Sox starters in the series against the Yankees, pitching 7 1/3 innings and giving up two runs, while striking out four and walking one in Monday's 2-1 loss.
In eight starts this season, Wells has pitched 47 1/3 innings, striking out 31 batters and walking just eight. Currently pitching in his 20th season, the hefty left-hander has 229 career wins.
Wells, 43, had offseason surgery on his right knee and began the season on the 15-day disabled list. He was activated before the eighth game of the year and was the losing pitcher April 12 in an 8-4 loss to Toronto before returning to the DL two days later with a sprained knee.
After losing five straight games to the Yankees, Boston trails New York by 6½ games in the AL East standings. The Red Sox trail the wild-card leading White Sox by 4½ games.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.