Aaron Cook can opt out of his contract with the Red Sox if he isn't on the Red Sox roster by May 1st (1 week). If he does leave there are going to be a ton of teams looking to grab him because he has been lights out in the minors so far. In 4 starts this year Cook has an ERA of 1.33, averageing about 7 innings a start and is coming off of his latest start where he went 7 innings allowing 8 hits (7 singles and a double) and one unearned run.
Cook isn't one of those guys that will excite fans. He doesn't really strike out guys (8 in 27 innings), but he also doesn't really let the ball get in the air (four of his 21 outs came in the form of fly balls last game). Basically, think Derek Lowe.
The question is where does he fit in. Bard's spot is the obvious choice, but he doesn't sound like he wants to leave the rotation. I agree, with basically every fan, is that the best thing for the Sox right now is Bard in the bullpen and Cook going to the rotation.
There is really only 1 way I can see Bard staying in the rotation, and that is the Red Sox say screw this season. Bard has showed promise, we are going to let him go through his up and downs, and hope next year he is the next CJ Wilson. If that is the case Youk should be traded ASAP and so should Aviles, so they can bring up Middlebrooks and Jose Iglesias.
Even though long term that might be the best thing for the Red Sox, I just don't see them doing it. I think if the rotation stays healthy Bard will be in the bullpen soon, and so will Doubront when Dice-K makes his return.
By the way, there is a good chance all of this works. I am expecting Dice-K to be pretty decent when he returns. I don't think Cook is great, but I think he is a solid #5. Bard and Doubront could fix that bullpen, and the lineup should get better when Crawford and Ellsbury (long way away) return.
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