Red Sox Wisely Release Carlos Silva

The Carlos Silva era in Boston is over before it ever really got started.  The club announced Saturday that they have released the right-hander after signing him in early January to a minor league contract.  Silva was deemed out of the running for the rotation after he was sidelined with shoulder inflammation on the same shoulder that forced him to miss most of last season.

With Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves and Felix Doubront all performing above expectations for the final two starting spots, it’s hard to fathom where Silva would have fit in had he been healthy enough to compete.  With his history of dust-ups with teammates and even management, Silva is not only known as a hot head, but in more than a couple situations, proved it; something the Sox do not need this season after having their fair share of distractions in 2011.

A once promising career, Silva enjoyed his best years with the Chicago Cubs before losing his cool and becoming the poster boy for anger management issues.  But he was effective on the mound when he was healthy, settling in nicely as a middle of the rotation, reliable arm.  A brief stint with the Yankees last season resulted in seven minor-league starts before being shut down with shoulder issues which led to his walking papers.

Silva is the first of Ben Cherington’s low value, rehab starters that he was hoping to capture lightning in a bottle with, to be shown the door.  Aaron Cook is doubtful to crack the big club, Jesse Carlson has lingering back problems, Ross Ohlendorf may not be good enough and John Maine remains a ghost (no one knows where he is).  This plan to save money and gamble on rehabbing pitchers doesn’t look too good and the way camp has evolved, it likely won’t provide the answer Cherington was hoping for.

Thank goodness that some internal options have materialized, otherwise this could have been a bridge year to the year when some heavy salaries come off the books.

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