Billy Traber

Originally written on 11/2/04

This was a very good pickup by the Sox today. Frankly I'm surprised that, 1) The Indians let him go and, 2) No one else grabbed him before Epstein did.

He's a 25 year old left-handed pitcher who was making improvements with each start in Cleveland in "03" before his season was cut short by an elbow injury that required "Tommy John Surgery".

He was originally projected to be a solid 3 or 4 starter. Even though he suffered a few set backs during his recovery, this surgery is not the crap shoot it used to be and most pitchers are still very effective a couple years removed from it. And he wasn't a hard thrower to begin with so he doesn't have to worry about not being as effective because of a loss of velocity.

He might not be ready for spring training but he could be a factor at some point in "05". Even if it doesn't pan out, it cost nothing but 20 grand to give it a shot. Personally I think this will end up being a significant move. Nice pick up Theo.