Penny to Boston

First, it was David Wells. Then, it was Bartolo Colon. Now, it's Brad Penny. Theme?

After the Yankees threw millions at their rotation, the Red Sox only threw a Penny at theirs. Okay, that was bad, but you know I can't resist cheesy puns. Anyway, I said a few months ago that someone should take a gamble on Penny, and it appears as though the Red Sox are. A few quick thoughts:

1) If Penny (only 31 next season) comes back and pitches somewhat near his pre-2008 performance, he could be a mid-3 ERA pitcher. His FIP's the previous five seasons consistently sat in the 3.59-3.92 range. Adding him to Matsuzaka, Beckett, and Lester would make a devastating rotation. Without him, that's still a really good rotation.

2) Does this mean the Red Sox are going to trade one of the young pitchers (like I said to earlier)? Because otherwise, they're just being selfish.

3) Seriously, is this an indication another deal is in the works, but they just needed Penny to make sure they could take the gamble? Then again, Penny in himself is a gamble. Hmmm ...

4) Who is the best injury-proned pitcher next season -- Sheets, Penny, or Burnett?