Red Sox have passed on appealing available puzzle pieces

The Boston Red Sox have passed on some interesting available talent that could complement their roster. Here are a few who may or may not have been worth a look.

And another one got away – and another….and another. The Boston Red Sox are chalking up a nice list of missed opportunities that appear on MLB Trade Rumors.

Let’s start with the most valuable of all and that is pitching. The Red Sox are – as is every MLB team – on the never-ending hunt for depth. The first is a local player.

Right-handed Steve Cishek has now put, or will shortly, his signature on a two-year $14 million deal to pitch for the Cubs. Cishek has moved around more than a 20-year Gunny with the army, but last season the 31-year-old appeared in 49 games with a 2.01 ERA with Seattle and Tampa Bay. So much for bringing home a local (Falmouth H.S).

My arm aches just watching the quirky delivery of 37-year-old right-handed Pat Neshek who signed a two-year deal with the Phillis. Neshek will get a reported $14 million, so the figure for quality set-up appears to be in the $7 million per season range. Neshek was an All-Star in 2017 and finished his two-team season with a 1.59 ERA in 62.1 innings.

On the cheaper side of set-up is former Houston Astro Luke Gregerson who signed up for a life of servitude thanks to a two-year and $11 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Gregerson would be a long shot coming off – for him – a disappointing 4.57 ERA with the champs.

Joe Smith is now the replacement part for Gregerson with the Astros. The veteran righty signed a two-year deal for $15 million. Smith appeared in 59 games and posted a 3.33 ERA.

My free agent pitching target of choice was Jake McGee. McGee recently returned to the fold with the dreadful Colorado Rockies and Coors Field. McGee – a lefty – signed for 3 years at $27 million, but I guess Robby Scott or Brian Johnson are better options.