Red Sox trade targets: High priced starting pitchers

Matt Moore

Jul 30, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore (55) looks on from the dugout against theMilwaukee Brewers at Tropicana Field. Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Another player whose team has no incentive to move him is Matt Moore. But with the departure of David Price, Tampa Bay is left with few tradeable assets beyond the 25 year old pitching phenom. Without enough talent on the major league roster to compete next year, the Rays may be pushed into moving the young ace in order to replenish a farm system that desperately needs a talent infusion. The departure of Joe Maddon especially was a huge hit to the short term playoff window in Tampa Bay.

Moore underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 so making a trade for him would be difficult. But if the Red Sox were willing to do so, either now or before the 2015 trade deadline, he would necessitate less of a return. The Rays would ask for Xander Bogaerts but the Red Sox would be very justified to counter with Mookie Betts. The Rays are likely a team that has reached the end of the line in their current run of success, and making a move that allows them to turn one high quality player into a number of quality players may ultimately be shrewd.

The Red Sox have pitching depth and offensive upside to offer for Moore who could be a dominant number 2 starter who has already proven himself in the AL East.