The Red Sox made a trade for Astros closer Mark Melancon, which on paper I really like. I say on paper, because I am not going to pretend I have seen this guy pitch much, but he has a good K rate, he has closed before, and the price was right.
Yet, there is still a ton of work to do in that bullpen. If the rumors are true and Bard/Aceves are heading to the rotation then the Red Sox are going to need to sign 2-3 more guys to sure up that bullpen, because right now you only have Mark Melancon, Matt Albers, Scott Atchison, Bobby Jenks and Franklin Morales in their bullpen. That's just not going to cut it.
The latest rumors have the Red Sox linked to free agents Darren Oliver and Ryan Madson, as well as trade rumors for Andrew Bailey. Olvier makes a lot of sense. He would be signed to a short term contract because he is incrediably old, but he is still great against lefties (.227 BA). You need those types of guys in your bullpen, plus he has shown he can pitch in pressure situations.
Madson I am a lot less sold on can happen. He is going to be damanding near Papelbon money, and I think most of us would agree I'd rather have Papelbon, so why turn around and spend the money on this guy? I just don't see the Sox opening their wallet for a closer. So, unless his price comes way down I can't see that happening.
We had heard the Sox trade for Bailey was all but dead, but Bailey has come out and said "he won't be surprised if the A's send him to an East Coast team like the Red Sox". He would really be a big signing for the Red Sox. He comes pretty cheap in terms of contract, so the only thing now is what does it take to trade for him. The price, as we have heard, is way too high. The A's are wierd though, so I wouldn't rule out this trade happening at some point.