Daniel Bard ERA in 2011: 3.33
Daniel Bard career ERA: 3.23
Daniel Bard ERS in 2012: 4.85
Daniel Bard WHIP in 2011: 0.959
Daniel Bard WHIP in 2012: 1.547
Craig Hanson ERA in 2008: 5.58
Craig Hanson WHIP in 2008: 1.696
He may not have "flamed out" yet, but he is well on the road to doing so. These numbers are not encouraging. In Hanson's last year in Boston, 2008, his numbers were somewhat worse than Bard's, but not a whole lot worse-less than 3/4 rpg and similar WHIPs.
I have not said that Bard is a lost cause, but he could get that way in a hurry if he is not returned to the pen where he has enjoyed success. I think he has the mental toughness of silly putty; he needs to be returned to familiar surroundings very soon. And if he cannot regain the velocity on his very straight fastball he will probably continue the downhill slide towards Craig Hanson-like stats.