"The Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Astros for shortstop Jed Lowrie and starter Kyle Weiland, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (MLBTradeRumors)."
I can't say that I know a lot about Melancon, because I don't want the Astros much, but he did have 20 saves last year with a 2.78 ERA and had 66 K's in 74.1 innings. Maybe this is a guy who can close for the Red Sox, but the real reason I like this deal is because I can't stand Weiland or Lowrie.
Weiland is just horrible and I don't even want to see him as an option at any point for the Red Sox ever again. Lowrie has shown at times he can be good, but he just never plays. Plus, it could clear the way for Jose Iglesias, who might not hit much but his a hell of a defensive player.
What is interesting about the deal is that it is said that Ellsbury's only friend on the team was Lowrie. With Tek (Beckett's buddy) and Lowrie gone maybe this is just another way the Red Sox are trying to shake up the locker room without making a major deal.