Wells a monkeywrench in the Red Sox's gears

First he wanted to be traded. Okay, the Sox have a starter with huge potential coming up from the minors and they traded for Josh Beckett. Even with Wells gone, they'd have a logjam in the rotation, which in all respects is a good problem to have. Now Wells is saying that he wants to stay in Boston.

He really isn't much more than a thorn in Theo Epstein's side, is he?

Don't get me wrong, I like Wells a lot. I think he's a great pitcher and he's positioned to have a great year (that whole nonsense about not going about a normal starter's routine to start the season because his knee - which he had arthroscopic surgery on in October - was sore was just that: nonsense. Matt Clement had the same surgery at the same time and he hasn't even mentioned it this spring. The fact is, Wells hates spring training, and doesn't want to be involved in any competition that doesn't count). But don't ask for a trade and have a team make moves to absorb the move, and then rescind the request. Now because of you, and because you're damn sure not going to make a move to the bullpen, both Bronson Arroyo AND Jonathan Papelbon will have to move to the 'pen, that is if Papelbon makes the final cut at all. Either that or the Sox will make a different trade involving Arroyo or Clement, sending away a pitcher that actually wants to be here, and that fans want to see here, in order to keep some crotchety old bastard that can't make up his mind and is probably going to retire in a year. Great.

If I had my way Wells would have been traded as soon as the Sox acquired Beckett. Forget the West coast - Wells doesn't have a no-trade clause and he's caused enough problems. Send him to whatever team needs pitching no matter where they play their home games, and let them deal with him.

The fact of the matter is that almost every team needs pitching, and they're willing to trade away some talent to get it. How about that deep outfield down in Tampa Bay? Think they'd throw down some Joey Gathright for some Wells and another minor leaguer - maybe one of the glut of backup catchers the Sox are dealing with right now? I think they would, and I think it would be worth it for the speed-starved Red Sox.

Yes, I think Wells is a good pitcher. But I don't think he should ruin the chances of two major leaguers that have proven they belong here just because he's fickle. David Wells, it's time to get out of Boston.