Arroyo Signs Three Year Deal

Bronson Arroyo signed a three year deal with the Red Sox today for a total of $11.25 million. I see three possible outcomes here:

1. Arroyo stays with the Red Sox and becomes a valuable (and affordable) 3rd or 4th starter.

2. Since Arroyo is so cost effective now - he gets traded for a centerfielder. Most wags are saying he could be traded to Tampa for Julio Lugo - I don't see that happening. Terry Francona and the Red Sox keep saying they are happy to go into 2006 with Alex Cora as the starting SS. Why isn't anyone listening to them? If Arroyo does get traded I see it for one of the following; Jeremy Reed, Coco Crisp (probably need more than Arroyo), Brad Wilkerson of the Rangers, Jason Michaels of the Phillies or Joey Gathright of Tampa. Arroyo could also be part of a deal for Torii Hunter or Rocco Baldelli.

3. Arroyo stays with the Red Sox but the Sox keep him in the bullpen. The Red Sox don't know if Keith Foulke can close anymore and Arroyo has the make-up to be a top closer. He's fearless and he forgets mistakes easily. I'd feel better about him as a closer if he did better against lefties (they hit better than .280 against him) and if he didn't so often struggle in the first inning of his starts. I do think that Arroyo has more than a bit of Dennis Eckersley in him and wouldn't be surprised to see him pitching the 9th inning for someone someday.