FT. MYERS, Fla -- The Red Sox rotation just got a little heavier.
Veteran pitcher David Wells, who during the offseason had requested a trade from the Red Sox, has reportedly taken this request back, with the blessing of his family. On Saturday, Wells said he informed general manager Theo Epstein of the decision.
The 18-year major leaguer also said it was "99.9 percent likely" he would retire at the end of the 2006 season. Wells signed an incentive-laden contract with the Red Sox before the 2005 season. Last year, he started 30 games and posted a solid record of 15-7. But the 42-year-old complained of a lack of privacy in his time with the Red Sox, and after the season, asked to be traded. Possible destinations included the San Diego Padres, with whom Wells played in 2004.
The Red Sox, however, were able to unload the hefty lefty, with his base salary of $4,075,000 plus numerous incentives for starts made and won. Now, he looks to remain with Boston, whose pitching staff already includes six other viable starters: Bronson Arroyo, Tim Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, and Matt Clement. Wells, however, remains the only starter on the squad.
The 42-year-old Wells is coming off surgery on his right knee, lessening the likelihood that a team would want him before he proves he's healthy. He said his first exhibition start for the Red Sox could take place on March 13 or 14.
"Obviously, they want to keep me," Wells said. "I think we're a better team this year than we were last year, so if you're going to go out on top you might as well do it with a team that you feel good with and this is it. So I told Theo I'd probably just stay."
(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) MS
