The Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox have released starter Brad Penny, who has been awful in his last four starts, compiling a 0-4 record and a 9.11 ERA. Penny will try to join a contender by the end of August in hopes of contributing this postseason.

One contender that would be a fit for Penny is the Giants. They’re a seriously flawed club offensively, so it would make sense that they would focus their attention solely on that weakness. But there aren’t any available bats, so their lineup is what it is. (Fans just threw up after reading that.)

They could, however, use an upgrade over fifth starter Joe Martinez, who is well liked and incredibly easy to root for, but has failed to get past the fifth inning in each of his last four starts. Granted, he’s 2-1 during that span, but he’s gotten an unusual (for the Giants) 8.0 runs per game over those four contests. The more telling sign of how Martinez has pitched is his ERA, which is 5.73.

Penny pitched for the Dodgers for four years (2005-2008) and therefore is familiar with the NL West. Outside of his bloated 6.28 ERA in 2008, he was anywhere from respectable to great while pitching in L.A., compiling a 3.90 ERA in 2005, a 4.33 ERA in 2006, and a 3.03 mark in 2007.

The Giants have six more games against the Rockies, who they currently trail in the Wild Card standings by three games. Since 2004, Penny is 14-4 against Colorado, so he’s obviously had a ton of success against a team the Giants are currently looking up at in the standings.

Granted, Penny might not start more than a game (if that) against the Rockies if he signs, especially considering that the two teams start a three game series this Friday in San Fran. But Penny stands to be an upgrade over Martinez, which is the most important factor for the Giants. Plus, if the club does sign Penny, Martinez could then help out a tired bullpen.

Fans would love to see San Fran call up top prospect Madison Bumgarner, but the Giants will likely leave him in the minors this season and then give him an opportunity to join the rotation next year when they’ll have to fill the spot that Randy Johnson once held.

So why not take a one-month shot on Penny?