Dice-K ready to rejoin Sox; Wakefield to bullpen

dice-k and wakefield.png Daisuke Matsuzaka has looked fairly impressive in three minor league rehab starts at Triple-A Pawtucket. The next time he takes a mound, he will be donning a Red Sox uniform, and will be a member of Boston’s starting rotation.

Of course, that means one of the current members of the Red Sox’ five-man rotation must be bumped to the bullpen, and WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford heard from a source Thursday evening that it’s going to be Tim Wakefield.

Wakefield, a veteran knuckleballer, has posted a 6.38 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through three starts this season. Clay Buchholz, also considered for a demotion, has compiled a 1.50 ERA through his first three stats. Despite what Red Sox manager Terry Francona may tell the Boston media, the decision was almost certainly an easy one.

The Mets have signed catcher Wilson Ramos to a two-year deal, SNY’s Andy Martino reports. The total value of the contract is $19 million, per Fancred’s Jon Heyman.

Ramos, 31, split last season between the Rays and Phillies, putting up one of the best offensive seasons among catchers. In 416 total plate appearances, he hit .306/.358/.487 with 15 home runs and 70 RBI.

Ramos will presumably get the lion’s share of plate appearances behind the plate with Travis d'Arnaud backing him up. Grandal was made a qualifying offer, so the Mets would have had to forfeit a draft pick to sign him. And, of course, Realmuto would have cost prospects. Ramos simply costs money.

The Mets were aggressively pursuing a catching upgrade, having been involved in rumors surrounding J.T. Realmuto and Yasmani Grandal, but ultimately settled on Ramos. New GM Brodie Van Wagenen has made a significant impact on the team already, having also added second baseman Robinson Canó and closer Edwin Díaz from a trade with the Mariners.

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