Red Sox players excited by Peavy acquisition

BOSTON -- The Red Sox didn't execute a move on Wednesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline day, but they had plenty of excitement over the deal general manager Ben Cherington consummated late Tuesday night.

Jake Peavy was expected to touch down in Boston at some point Wednesday evening and report to Fenway Park to meet his new teammates on Thursday. His first start will likely be in one of the three home games this weekend against the D-backs.

"We got a front-line pitcher," said Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "We're excited to get Jake. He's a great guy and a fierce competitor. We put ourselves in a position right now to make a run. Not just to go to the playoffs, but to go deep. I think the front office and the ownership, they see that and they're willing to do whatever it takes to help us along the way."

The Red Sox entered Wednesday a half-game behind the torrid Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. The addition of Peavy bolsters the team's depth and outlook.

"We've been able to add a very successful Major League starter," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Whether it's been in the National League, whether it's been in the American League, obviously he's made a pretty seamless transition in this league, pitching in this league for a number of years.

"He's a guy that's extremely competitive and talking with him late [Tuesday] night, he is ecstatic about joining the Red Sox. He's looking forward to not only pitching in Fenway Park, but for the Red Sox and in this city. I think he's going to relish the opportunity to get here."

It's not as if Cherington turned his phone off once the Peavy move -- which required the Red Sox sending Jose Iglesias to the Tigers -- was made. But Boston's GM didn't see a followup move that made sense.

So the Red Sox will stay internal for now, both in the bullpen and at third base.

Obviously there's always the possibility of a waiver trade during August.

"We came in really wanting mostly to add a starting pitcher if we could," said Cherington. "That was the most important thing we could do to protect the team going down the stretch and we were able to add a guy we wanted. We felt like Peavy was the best fit for us and we were able to get that done [Tuesday] night. We worked on some other stuff. We never really got close on anything else today."

So Brandon Workman, who has been terrific in his first three Major League starts, will slide to the bullpen.

For now, Brock Holt, who was promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, will share third-base duties with Brandon Snyder.

However, Will Middlebrooks and top prospect Xander Bogaerts are only a phone call away at Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Red Sox, bolstered by their latest addition, are primed for the stretch run.

"We've always liked [our team]," said first baseman Mike Napoli. "We thought we had a good team and you know we were fine with what we had, but the front office made us better. I mean, it's great. They're trying to make our team better and we definitely got better. So our hats are off to them for making it better."