Red Sox: 5 starting pitchers to target in pursuit of depth
Lewis is 38 and approaching the end of his career, but when healthy he was effective for the Texas Rangers last season. He only made 19 starts, hitting the 60-day DL at the end of June with a right lat strain. When he returned, the results were far from encouraging. In four starts to end the season, he allowed 17 runs on 22 hits and nine walks in 18.1 innings pitched.
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Overall, he was able to compile a respectable 3.71 ERA, but he hasn’t struck out more than 7 batters per nine innings pitched since 2012 and is susceptible to the long ball. However, he’s enjoyed more recent success than any of the aforementioned pitchers on this list.
That success could also preclude the Red Sox from making a push for him. MLB Trade Rumors reports that Lewis is unwilling to accept a minor league deal and will only sign if guaranteed a spot on a team’s major league roster. Should the Red Sox sign him, they would have to remove a player from their 40-man roster to make space.