Red Sox Acquire Beato To Complete Shoppach Trade

Two days after Kelly Shoppach was traded to the Mets for a player to be named later, that player was announced today. He is former Mets’ reliever Pedro Beato who, after a solid 2011 season, has pitched little in the majors and poorly in 2012. Beato put together a decent year in his rookie season in 2011, going 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA for the last place Mets. However, he was reassigned to Triple-A Buffalo to start the 2012 season and wasn’t recalled until July 5. Since then, he’s put up a 10.38 ERA in 7 games.

Still, there are plenty of positives to look at in the 25 year old right-hander. First off is what I just mentioned– he’s only 25 years old and has plenty of time to work himself out. So far, his main issue in 2012 has been an unreasonably high BABIP of .333 and thus a high WHIP of 1.62. If he can just get back to what he did last year– with a .260 BABIP and a 1.28 WHIP– or in the minors this season– .240 and 1.16, respectively– then he should be alright.

Even if he does right himself with a change of scenery, there’s little chance we’ll see him much this year and almost none we’ll see him before September. The Red Sox have had a pretty good bullpen this year, with an ERA of 3.35 that ranks 12th in the league, so there won’t be any need for much more addition– particularly with Andrew Bailey off the DL. Still, it’s good to know that there’s a major league arm waiting in Pawtucket in case of any injuries.