Red Sox acquire Donnelly from Angels

Associated Press






ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa) traded former All-Star reliever Brendan Donnelly (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6840) to the Boston Red Sox (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=bos) on Friday for rookie left-hander Phil Seibel (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7312).

Donnelly





The 35-year-old Donnelly became expendable when the Angels and reliever Justin Speier (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6015) agreed to an $18 million, four-year contract.


Donnelly was 6-0 with a 3.94 ERA in 62 games last season. He had a 5-0 record and a 3.52 ERA in 29 games after the All-Star break, and held the opposition scoreless in 19 of his last 21 appearances.


Donnelly was 23-8 with a 2.87 ERA and four saves in 276 appearances with the Angels. He signed with them in as a minor league free agent in January 2001, and made his big league debut in 2002 after 10 minor league seasons with nine different organizations.


His best year was in 2003, when he allowed only two earned runs in his first 50 innings. Donnelly's 0.38 ERA was the lowest by a regular big league reliever at the All-Star break, and he was the winning pitcher in the AL's 7-6 victory over the NL in the All-Star game. He finished the season with a 1.58 ERA and a career-high three saves.


Donnelly set career highs with nine wins and 65 appearances in 2005. He was limited to 40 games in 2004 after missing the Angels' first 64 games due to a broken nose.


The 27-year-old Seibel spent the last three seasons in the Boston organization after being claimed on waivers from the New York Mets in November 2003. He pitched 3 2-3 scoreless innings in two games with the Red Sox in 2004.


Seibel went 6-3 with a 1.24 ERA for three Boston farm clubs last season. He didn't pitch in 2005 after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow following the 2004 season.

Before turning professional, Seibel pitched three seasons for the University of Texas.

I never realized Donnelly was that good last season.

Until Madmike tears those stats apart I'd say the Sox did ok here.;)

He was decent last year.

Brendan Donnelly for Phil Seibel?

Theo should be locked up for grand larceny.

Brendan Donnelly for Phil Seibel?

Theo should be locked up for grand larceny.

Is Seibel that bad? Donnely is in his mid-late 30's isn't he? Looks like the halos went with a player who has a shot to be around longer and that's IF he even makes it with the big club. Either way, Donnelly is a significant upgrade for their pen and he kills the Yankees. Jeter is 3-12 lifetime with three singles. Nice move by Boston.

Is Seibel that bad? Donnely is in his mid-late 30's isn't he? Looks like the halos went with a player who has a shot to be around longer and that's IF he even makes it with the big club. Either way, Donnelly is a significant upgrade for their pen and he kills the Yankees. Jeter is 3-12 lifetime with three singles. Nice move by Boston.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not as up on Sox prospects as I should be. However, this guy is 27 1/2 years old, and could only make a couple of appearances last year, even with all the problems the Sox had. I really don't think he'll be missed.

Donelly or Rivera ? Who do you want closing your games ?

Yankees > Red Sux

Kthxbye

The Red Sox pitching staff is getting better and better I'm starting to get a little afraid for the Yankees.

Donnelly really declined last year. Is he gonna be the boston closer? haha sounds like a good deal even though the yankees are now closing in on mike gonzalez!

the rumor I heard on WFAN was that Boston was interested in Derrick Turnbow to possibly be their closer

Donnelly is not for the closer role. He is slated to be the 8th inning guy. If the season started today. Timlin would be the closer, with the hope that Hansen could grow into it before season's end.