Red Sox: Five affordable free agent starting pitcher targets
By Max Bozicas
The Boston Red Sox need to add to the starting rotation this winter. They could trade for a starter, but there are also some cheaper options in free agency.
In 2019, the Boston Red Sox lineup was among the top in the majors in just about every category, but they didn’t even sniff the playoffs. That should give you an idea of just how bad the pitching was for this team. While the bullpen needs a couple more arms as well, we will be focusing on who the Red Sox should consider adding to the starting rotation.
Starting pitching was awful for the Red Sox this year. Chris Sale looked like a shell of himself after receiving a five year, $145 million extension before the season began. David Price had an injury-riddled campaign filled with inconsistencies. We do not speak of Andrew Cashner.
Nathan Eovaldi also found himself on the injured list for an extended period of time. When he was healthy he was also a disaster. Rick Porcello is going to be headed elsewhere in free agency, and his final season in Boston was arguably his worst.
Eduardo Rodríguez was the only starting pitcher for Boston who didn’t have a bad year. I hate to sound too bold here, but having one decent starter is not a winning formula.
Given the organization’s desire to cut payroll, it’s very possible that the Red Sox will be sending Price or Eovaldi out the door along with Porcello. In that case, they will need to go out and find a fourth or fifth starter on a short-term deal for a cheap price. It’s very possible that they will take a look at one of these names in free agency, at least. Odds are they can’t be any worse than what was on the mound for them in 2019.