Clay Buchholz delivered another good start for the Boston Red Sox in last night's win over the Toronto Blue Jays. His trade value is rising dramatically, but will general manager Ben Cherington explore deals for the right-hander?
It's no secret other clubs are interested in Buchholz. The Pittsburgh Pirates were said to be scouting him last week, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote in his Sunday Baseball Notes that the Royals, Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Cardinals, Orioles, Angels and Dodgers are "looking at" him as well.
Trade rumors have been floating around, but Buchholz has acknowledged he wishes to stay in Boston and sources have expressed the Red Sox have no plans to trade him. Additionally, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe says "the Sox view Buchholz as part of the answer, not a piece to move." That's understandable, considering he and Eduardo Rodriguez are the only reason the starting rotation is still in business.
But the Red Sox might have to look at this more realistically. Boston is 106-134 since winning the World Series in 2013 and it appears their offseason signings of Rick Porcello ($82.5 million), Pablo Sandoval ($95 million) and Hanley Ramirez ($88 million) may not work out as well as the team hoped for the long-term. The Sox have limited trade assets and refuse to part ways with their top prospects/young players. If the losing continues, is it best they stand pat and hope for the best?
Buchholz has provided relief for a struggling rotation, but how many times are Red Sox fans going to go back and forth between loving and hating him? Here's the reality of it all: Buchholz is 30 years old and has nine years of MLB experience, but he has never made 30 starts or pitched over 189 1/3 innings in a season. He has a career ERA of 3.90 and a WHIP of 1.309, which isn't much to rave about.
"Of course, Buchholz is not always at his best," Speier added. "The maddening component of his game is that he derails not just for a game, but for weeks or even a month at a time. Or he gets injured. Therein lies the perpetual sense that he can be something more than he has been."
Perhaps his recent success is a blessing in disguise for Boston, especially during a time when other teams are starved for starting pitching. On top of that, Buchholz has a team-friendly contract that carries a $13 million team option for 2016 and a $13.5 million team option for 2017, which carries much value in a trade.
It all depends on how the Red Sox perform over the next month. If they climb back into the AL East race, there'd be no reason to trade Buchholz. However, if they fall further behind, Cherington is going to feel the pressure and may have to make a trade to prepare for 2016 and beyond.
It's been a rollercoaster ride for Buchholz and Boston. Based on history, he's bound to spiral back down and go through a period of struggles. And at 30 years old, there's not much more to look forward to.
The Red Sox might be able to avoid catching another slump from Buchholz and get maximum value for him before the trade deadline.
