David Wells comes to Boston following 2004 World Series championship
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During the winter of 2004, following their World Series win, the Red Sox were looking to add starting pitching. Both Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez were free agents, which prompted general manager Theo Epstein to find replacements.
When Martinez departed for the Mets and Lowe wound up with the Dodgers, Epstein signed 41-year-old David Wells. The former Yankees lefty was now with the enemy. Similar to when the Red Sox signed David Cone, adding Wells and him wearing Boston across his chest just didn’t look right.
Red Sox sign David Wells in the winter of 2004
Boston inked Wells to a two-year, $8 million deal, with incentives he could have earned a total of $18 million.
"Within a few hours, the deal was done," Wells said. "I couldn't believe it."
Epstein signed Wells knowing he was a big game pitcher and one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game. The problem was Wells had been dealing with back issues, however, Epstein felt it was worth he gamble adding veteran.
"David Wells has proven to be one of the top left-handers in the game," Theo Epstein said. "He throws strikes and should give us quality innings, improving the depth of our starting rotation."
Injury plagued 2005 season for Wells
The former Yankees starter wore No. 3 with the Red Sox to pay homage to Babe Ruth. Wells first season with the Red Sox didn’t start off all that great. Injuries would take a toll on Wells to begin the season. Wells would land on the disabled list in April 2005 with a right foot sprain.
Epstein received massive criticism regarding the signing of Wells. Fans were upset over Wells’ injury and the team failing to adequately replace Martinez and Lowe.
During that winter, following the World Series win, Boston signed Wells, Matt Clement and John Halama. The trio wasn’t exactly Martinez and Lowe. In fact, the Sox released Halama during the 2005 season after making 30 appearances but pitching to a 6.18 ERA.
Wells would ultimately rebound his 2005 season after coming off the DL and changing his number from 3 to 16. He went on to finish the season posting a 15-7 record (in 30 starts) although his ERA was high at 4.45 and he only struck out 107 batters.
The left-handed hurler pitched well during the 2005 postseason against the White Sox.
Wells 2006 season on the other hand was brutal. Before the season began, Wells asked the Red Sox for a trade to the west coast.
Wells requests a trade to the West Coast
Boomer wanted to pitch in California but later withdrew his request and opted to honor the deal he initially inked with Boston. During the 2005 offseason, Wells had surgery on his right knee. The hefty left-hander started the season on the DL. He would return in May and was pitching well until he got hit with a line drive to the right knee against the Rays.
Throughout his time on the DL, Wells contemplated retirement. However, with the Sox fading out of playoff contention in 2006, Boston traded Wells to the San Diego Padres.
The George Kottaras Era begins in Boston
The Red Sox would acquire catching prospect George Kottaras. The Canadian catcher spent a four years in the Sox system. He would make his debut in 2008 and 2008 became Tim Wakefield’s personal catcher.
The Red Sox hoped for more from the Wells signing. Wells 2005 where he won 15 games was a pleasant surprise but wasn’t enough to elevate the team in the postseason. His knee issues made his time problematic with Boston. Epstein was hoping for the Wells of the past and saw that at times, but his age caught up to him.
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