NESN

Erik Bedard Trade Important Given Uncertainty of Clay Buchholz’s Injury, Should Strengthen Staff Overall If Buchholz Returns

The Red Sox added some starting pitching help prior to Sunday's MLB trade deadline, as they acquired left-hander Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team trade.

Bedard arrives in Boston with a 4-7 record and a 3.45 ERA through 16 starts this season. He'll immediately join the rotation, which has been in flux a bit this season as multiple pitchers, including Clay Buchholz, have battled injuries.

Buchholz is scheduled to see another specialist on Monday as he continues to recover from a back injury. If he's able to return at some point, Bedard will help round out the rotation along with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey.

NESN's Jim Rice sees that as the best-case scenario for the Sox since the team would then be able to use Tim Wakefield, Alfredo Aceves and Andrew Miller out of the bullpen and in spot-start situations.

To hear the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo's analysis of the Bedard deal, as well as hear Tom Caron and Jim Rice react, check out the video above.