The Red Sox ace minus option

Sep 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Ross: 10-12, 196 IP, 172 H, 72 R, 212 K, 84 BB, 3.26 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 2.98 FIP, 3.15 xFIP, 4.4 WAR.

Ross, a 28-year-old right-hander, is a two and a half pitch wonder for the San Diego Padres. Ross tossed a fastball in 2015 exactly 51.9% of the time, a slider 41.6% and the occasional cutter at 6.1%. The six year veteran is also presently eligible for arbitration and free agency awaits in 2018.

The 2015 season saw Ross leading the National League in walks and occasionally Ross would simply plunk someone with eight hit batsmen. The real standout is a league leading wild pitch total of 14. Ross may have a slight control issue as a present day Ricky Vaughn. Despite that flaw the statistical facts show this is one very good pitcher. A K/9 of 9.73 shows a punch out can be a very legitimate part of his game.

Ross pitched for the A’s and now for the Padres or six seasons in big ballparks. That, however, does not statistically skewer his numbers since the road BA is .239 and the home .186 for his career. Lefties hit Ross at a .260 clip and right-handers are almost invisible at .173.

Can Ross be had?

The Red Sox and Padres have an extensive history of wheeling and dealing. There are front office connections between the two teams so anything can be worked out. Ross would be a reasonable addition and if by some magic pitching elixir his walks could be chopped in half the Red Sox could have an ace.

Sources: Baseball-reference/fangraphs