2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Still Seeking Starting Pitching

Yesterday the Boston Red Sox acquired closer Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics.  After revamping his bullpen with the additions of Bailey and late-inning reliever Mark Melancon, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington will “continue to work” at upgrading Boston’s starting rotation.  Cherington said the Red Sox are “actively considering and looking at starting pitching options”.  Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com also hear that the Red Sox are “shooting for a starter”.

Entering the offseason, starting pitching ranked near the top of the Red Sox wish list.  While they haven’t been able to add a frontline starter to their rotation, the Red Sox have added two solid late-inning arms in Bailey and Melancon.  This will allow Boston to move former relievers Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves from the ‘pen to the rotation.  Still, the Red Sox will continue to look for additional starting pitching on the free agent and trade markets as the spring approaches.

Cherington said that, while the Red Sox have pursued several starting pitchers this offseason, they haven’t found one in which they’ve felt “the acquisition cost” was right.  The Red Sox were rumored to have been in the market for starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez before the A’s shipped him to the Nationals.  Boston has also been tied to Cubs right-hander Matt Garza, though it’s unknown if they have the prospects required to make a deal.

Beyond Garza, Heyman hears that the Red Sox could turn to the free agent market to bolster their rotation.  There are several intriguing FA options remaining, and Heyman reports the Red Sox could be interested in Hiroki Kuroda, Roy Oswalt, Joe Saunders or Edwin Jackson.

While Cherington has said he will continue his search for starting pitching, Boston’s GM also noted that his club “can afford to be a little bit patient in the starting pitching market” due to the makeup of the front of their rotation.

The Red Sox have Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz sitting atop their staff, Bard and Aceves “coming to camp as starters” and Andrew Miller and Felix Doubront throwing their hats in the ring as well.  Cherington said Boston’s depth allows him to proceed this winter without feeling forced to make a move.

For more on the Red Sox, be sure to check out BoSox Injection.