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Boston Red Sox: Four areas of need heading into the 2020 season

By Drew Athans

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 17: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 08, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Starting Pitcher

Pitching is probably going to be the one area that will kill the Red Sox chances in 2020, at least as the roster is currently constituted. After losing Rick Porcello in free agency and trading David Price, the Sox current rotation is Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Martin Perez.

The first two have spent significant time on the injured list the last two seasons while Rodriguez pitched the best season of his career (and the most innings) in 2019.

As for Perez, he was at best thought of as the number five starter when Bloom acquired him in the offseason. There’s also not a lot of pitching depth in the minors, with prospects Jay Groome, Tanner Houck, and Bryan Mata still a ways off from seeing big league action.

Unless the team (and fans) want to see a steady diet of Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez starts again, the Red Sox need to add some pitching and fast.

There are some notable names left on the free-agent market, although none of them are particularly attractive. Andrew Cashner, who was unimpressive in Boston after being acquired last year, would at least be a known quantity, but I’m not sure the team or fans want to experience that again.

Aaron Sanchez is only 27 and was decent for Toronto and has experience pitching in the always-tough AL East. Matt Harvey could be an intriguing option provided he can stay healthy.

Older available pitchers like Jason Vargas and Jeremy Hellickson don’t move the needle at all and should be last-ditch signings if it gets that dire. Of course, old friend Clay Buchholz is also available…let’s move on.

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