Mark Melancon traded to Red Sox

Mark Melancon was traded by the Houston Astros to the Boston Red Sox on December 14, 2011. In exchange the Astros receive Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland.

RHP Melancon has pitched for three seasons with the Astros and Yankees. In 2011 he was 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP and 20 saves in 74.1 innings over 71 games. For his career he is 10-5 with a 3.21 ERA, 98 strikeouts, 1.26 WHIP and 20 saves in 112 innings over 106 games. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in the ninth round in 2006.

Lowrie played second, third and shortstop in four seasons with the Red Sox. In 2011 he hit .252/.303/.382 with six home runs, 36 RBI, 40 runs and one steal in 88 games. For his career he has hit .252/.324/.408 with 19 home runs, 117 RBI, 110 runs and 3 steals in 256 games. He was originally drafted by the Red Sox with the 45th pick of the first round in 2005.

RHP Weiland split 2011 between Triple A and with the Red Sox. He was 8-10 with 3.58 ERA, 126 strikeouts and 1.27 WHIP in 128.1 innings over 24 games at Triple A and was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA, 13 strikeouts and 1.66 WHIP in 24.2 innings over seven games with Boston. He was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the third round in 2008.