What direction will the Red Sox go in rotation reconstruction?
By Rick McNair
Projecting how the Red Sox fill potholes in their starting rotation
Blame the Boston Red Sox financial situation on the Lydians who have been pegged as the first Western culture to use money. The finger-pointing can go right back to that ancient and long-gone culture. The Red Sox financial situation is in constant focus with the team now edged slightly above $29 MM in play money before hitting that egregious luxury tax threshold.
The eventual keeper of the purse is Chaim Bloom whose corporate title may actually exceed the 133-word title of Prince Phillip. Bloom is well noted for his parsimonious approach to building a team. Bloom is like a long-departed relative via marriage who spent his weekends looking for yard sale treasure. Someone once found a Faberge Egg at a flea market and the long-deceased uncle once bought a ring that was worth thousands. Bloom does occasionally root out a ring in his baseball truffle hunt.
The Red Sox need pitching – a statement that would make Captain Obvious shake his head – and they will get it, but just how as in how much relating to money or how as related to trades. So far the pitching market is awaiting the domino effect where a big name blesses a team with his services for a multi-generational securing contract. This is a noted direction of the Red Sox with David Price as the latest failure in free agent adventurism.
The Red Sox do not need the proverbial big-ticket such as Trevor Bauer who can best be classified as that elusive “Ace.” Boston does not need Mr. Elusive since they already have two with Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez but even the most remote of Red Sox fans know their questionable status.
Where the Red Sox get mentioned on the churning rumor mill is the next level down. Do not look for another Martin Perez signing but something more in line with Jake Odorizzi or Jose Quintana who I could comfortably place in the mid-rotation category. Quintana may be especially attractive over the length of contract and fiscal outlay.
Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck who both have the dual attachment of promise and possible failure. A real crapshoot going full throttle with both and jettisoning any additional talent possibilities since there is security in numbers. Pitching does have a way of eroding when least expected.
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The temptation I see in the mix is right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano who is now posted and will cost both in the contract and the bounty due to his former team. With the approaching demise of Dustin Pedroia’s salary ($12 MM) and in two years Prices’ ($16 MM) there is enough potential wiggle room with the Red Sox also having that LT reset now in place. That could limit filling other holes.
Bloom has already demonstrated his approach this season by plugging an outfield hole with Hunter Renfroe who has a list of pluses and an equally long list of negatives. Typical Bloom approach. Just a thought is if I was Andrew Benintendi I would rent and not buy housing in the Boston area.
Bloom still has the gap at second base and several have tried and several have failed. At this juncture, Kolten Wong may be priced out of the Boston market unless the team clears payroll or Wong’s price plummets.
Trade winds blowing could also impact second base and the nightmare that passes as a bullpen. The bullpen is a cause du jour and Bloom is noted as a reliable architect from his Tampa days. This one may need Bloom to become a baseball, Frank Lloyd Wright. This is where I place concern and have a “Trust in Chaim” in place.
Next. Red Sox six-man rotation should be on the table. dark
Red Sox Nation has grown comfortable knowing that past history this century has shown a positive light on the franchise. The specter of “The Curse” is now just history and four championships have demonstrated a management resilience despite having three previous GM’s who have each won. My assumption is Bloom will do his best to make it a fourth.