CSN Chicago: Byrd to Red Sox?

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By Tony AndrackiCSN Chicago
With Jacoby Ellsbury's injury in Boston, there may be interest in Marlon Byrd, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Ellsbury, the 2011 AL MVP runner-up, suffered a dislocated shoulder on Friday when Rays shortstop Reid Brignac landed on it and could miss up to two months. The Red Sox are already without Carl Crawford, who is rebounding from wrist and elbow injuries.

That leaves Boston's outfield as Ryan Sweeney, Darnell McDonald and Cody Ross.

Yeah, not exactly an outfield that a team with World Series hopes wants to trot out there every day.

Since Byrd has been available "for months," according to Wittenmyer, there could be a match there. Byrd has been linked to rumors with the Nationals and Braves potentially interested, but nothing has come about just yet.
The Cubs are looking to acquire some pitching help, which brings a potential idea up.

As Tom Loxas over at CubsDen brought up, the Red Sox have right-handed pitcher Michael Bowden in their system. Bowden graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in 2005 and grew up in the Chicago suburbs. Back in high school, he was throwing low-to-mid 90s.

Bowden was recently designated for assignment by the Red Sox and has been in a state of flux his entire career with the organization. He has started, he has relieved, and he has closed. He boasts a career 3.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in seven minor-league seasons, yet has pitched just 59 innings in the majors and is already 25. The Red Sox just don't ever seem to have room for him.

But the Cubs could, at least in the bullpen to start.

Now, the Red Sox likely wouldn't want to give up somebody with Bowden's potential for just Byrd, but they could get desperate enough. You never know.

There are no reports of the Red Sox or Cubs talking yet and even when they do, Bowden's name may never come up. But this is something to keep an eye on in the coming days and weeks.

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