Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers make offers to Justin Masterson

While numerous teams have been rumored to have interest in Justin Masterson, the right-hander appears to have at least two offers on the table. Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports that the Boston Red Sox made an offer on Monday, believed to be a one year deal. Edes also passes on word that the Texas Rangers have an offer on the table, according to ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins.

Masterson is coming off a rough 2014 season in which he fought a number of injuries throughout the year. He was limited to just 128.2 IP on the year, between the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals, in which he posted a 5.88 ERA and 1.632 WHIP – both career highs.

Over the four previous seasons, however, Masterson was among the game’s more consistent starting pitchers. He topped 180 innings each year, boasting a 4.05 ERA and 1.355 WHIP. Masterson has never been overpowering in any one area and doesn’t profile at a top of the rotation arm, but reliability provides its own sense of value to many teams as they look to round out their rotation.

Boston’s interest is hardly surprising, given the history between the two sides. Originally a 2nd Round pick in the 2006 draft, Masterson made his debut with the Red Sox during the 2008 season. The team was encouraged by what they’d seen from him in 67 appearances (15 starts) but dealt him to the Indians in July 2009 in order to bring Victor Martinez‘s bat back to Boston. Cleveland put him in the rotation for good and watched Masterson develop into a solid starter.

Both the Red Sox and Rangers are in the market for starting pitching. Boston is waiting on a decision from Jon Lester, but will still likely pursue at least one additional arm even if they do end up re-signing him.