Matt Clement done for 2007

This is from Will Carroll's column on Baseball Prospectus:

"Dr. Jim Andrews found significant damage in Clement's shoulder during exploratory surgery. Damage to both the rotator cuff and labrum was seen and repaired, likely ending Clement's 2007 before we're even done with 2006."

Ooof is my first reaction. After thinking about it, well, I wasn't sure how much, if anything, Clement was going to add to the 2007 team. His primary value was in trade, and now that's unlikely. And we're on the hook for his 2007 salary.

It's becoming more apparent how cloudy the 2007 season looks for the Sox, especially on the pitching side of the ledger. Schilling is in. Wakefield is probably in. Beckett is in, though he is setting a career high in inning pitched (and HR allowed) this year and has to be considered an injury risk. Beyond that, who knows? Papelbon may be in the rotation, but he may remain in the closer's role and even if put in the rotation it's unclear how effective or healthy he will be. Lester has a long road back to even see the mound again. Tavarez might be a good swingman / 6th starter but you can't expect much more from him than that. The bottom line is that the Sox will have to sign a free agent pitcher or two, and given their recent history it seems unlikely they'll land Barry Zito or Jason Schmidt since they'd probably have to overpay.

Meanwhile, Anibal Sanchez has a 2.83 ERA in 109 IP and a 1.83 ERA in his last ten starts. And some dude named Bronson Arroyo has a 3.27 ERA in 233 IP. Not that the trades involving these players didn't have their merits, or that they aren't facing weaker competition than the Sox, but it's very difficult not to point fingers.

Holding onto the farm is the supposed goal of this front office. Why have the players we've kept struggled while the traded players have flourished?