It wasn’t a trade, but it sure looked like one.

Less than a week after losing free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox struck a deal to bring former Jays’ shortstop Marco Scutaro to Boston. Scutaro, who like Gonzalez was a free agent this offseason, inked a two year, $11 million contract with the Red Sox. The deal also holds a dual option for a third year at $6 million if exercised by the Sox, and $3 million if picked up by Scutaro.

The move settles, for now, what has become a game of musical chairs at short for the Red Sox. Since the departure of Nomar Garciaparra in 2004, Boston has not had a reliable player at that position. While Orlando Cabrera filled the gap nicely in 2004—Boston did win a World Series that year, after all—he was let go at the end of the season. Each subsequent year has seen Sox management make some move to shore up the hole, all to no avail.

For 2005, Boston brought in Edgar Renteria, a former Gold Glove winner and consistent hitter, with a 4 year, $40 million contract. Renteria proved to be an enormous bust, committing a career-high 30 errors and struggling all season at the plate.

Subsequent stopgaps at short, Julio Lugo and Alex Gonzalez, both fared better, though not nearly well enough to warrant extended stays with the team. Jed Lowrie, the highly touted farm system prospect, has struggled in his short major league tenure to prove he can be an everyday starter.

In Scutaro, the Sox are once again hoping they have found a reliable fielder with a solid bat to plug the middle of their infield. Last season, he hit .282 with a .379 on base percentage. Though both Lugo and Gonzalez finished with comparable averages (both players hit .284 for Boston) each had glaring faults Sox management ultimately decided the team could not afford—for Gonzalez, it was his dismal .316 on base percentage; for Lugo, it was his spotty defense.

The obvious downside to Scutaro is his age; at 34, he is at a point in his career where most players begin a decline, if they haven’t done so already. However, 2009 was, statistically, his best year in the majors, a fact which certainly assuaged Sox officials in making the decision.

Furthermore, Boston has a standout prospect at shortstop, Julio Iglesias, who they hope will eventually develop into their franchise player at the position. Iglesias is only 19 years-old, and the Sox seem content to let a seasoned player warm the position until he is ready to move up from the minor leagues.

Given the recent history of Boston’s shortstop acquisitions, it’s impossible to predict how Scutaro will meld into the lineup. Hopefully he continues where he left off last season; realistically, he will probably be cursed, just like those before him.