Red Sox could look to move veteran arms in the offseason
By Jake Misener
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox could be busy this offseason.
Cafardo reported that Boston could be in the market, looking to deal a plethora of veteran pitching to make room for some of the young talent that’s near-big league ready. The names rumored to be involved in offseason discussions include Jake Peavy, John Lackey, Felix Doubront and even staff ace Jon Lester.
"The Sox will likely pick up Lester’s $13 million option for next season and try to negotiate something long-term. But if it’s not at a discount, Lester will likely test the waters. Will Lester be trade bait this offseason if the Red Sox don’t want to commit a lot of years at an average of $18 million-$20 million for him? You could see a scenario in which Lester joins the Rays’ David Price as possible acquisitions. Lester has been a workhorse – five years of 200-plus innings. The Red Sox didn’t go big on the Wil Myers proposal with the Royals last season, but one of those could present itself again."
The Red Sox completed a worst-to-first transformation this season, winning 97 games, en route to the club’s first American League East title since 2007. Although the team was known for its torrid offense, the pitching was also spot-on for much of the year, led by a resurgence on the part of Peavy and Lackey.
Lackey, who just two seasons ago went 12-12 with an earned run average of 6.41, has regained the form that made him an All-Star and Cy Young candidate with the Angels in 2007, going 10-13, but lowering his ERA to a respectable 3.52.
Peavy came to Boston as part of a three-team deal including the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, and pitched well for Boston down the stretch, going 4-1 for the Red Sox. He also made a tremendous postseason start in the ALDS against Tampa Bay, something that earned the praise of many around the game.
Although the Red Sox have their eyes on a third World Series title in less than a decade, the offseason is quickly approaching. Will GM Ben Cherington rebuild this roster or will he look to replicate the team’s 2013 performance by keeping the cast intact?