The Boston Red Sox hired Dave Dombrowski to be the club's team president and he's tasked with making countless important decisions between now and the 2016 season. Two of those involve starting pitcher Clay Buchholz and interim manager Torey Lovullo.
Buchholz was the team's best pitcher (7-7, 3.26 ERA in 18 starts) before going down with an elbow injury in July (he's likely done for the year at this point). One of Dombrowski's many assignments will be piecing together a capable starting rotation for next year because the 2015 unit is one of the worst in the MLB. Rumors have since focused on Buchholz's future with Boston because the right-hander has a team option for the 2016 season.
While it's only for $13 million, Dombrowski may not have another year of Buchholz in his plans. The 31-year-old has never pitched over 189 1/3 innings in a single season throughout his nine-year career, and on top of being injured extremely often, he has had a number of inconsistent campaigns (5.34 ERA in 2014 and 4.56 ERA in 2012).
"Buchholz's injuries have been frustrating for the Red Sox and the right-hander -- he has pitched 664 innings over the past five seasons (around 133 innings per season) -- and with a new front office in place, there isn't necessarily an emotional attachment to the pitcher," ESPN Insider Buster Olney writes.
"But Buchholz showed again this season that when he's on the mound, he's more than capable. Buchholz, 31, had a 3.31 ERA in May and a 2.21 ERA in June before hitting the disabled list in July. A veteran pitcher on a one-year deal for $13 million -- especially a pitcher with a high ceiling -- could be a bargain."
It all depends if Dombrowski opts to chase a high-profile pitcher in free agency, as many will be available. The team is seemingly stuck with Rick Porcello and Wade Miley after signing them both to extensions, while Joe Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez have given the future of the rotation some hope. Unlike the other starters, Dombrowski has a clear out with Buchholz and he can use that $13 million elsewhere.
And what about interim manager Torey Lovullo? The man is 7-1-1 in series since taking over as manager due to John Farrell's absence, with the only loss coming to the New York Yankees. His 18-10 record includes big series victories over the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets.
"Lovullo not only has won 18 games, but he has done so with a less-than-functional bullpen," writes Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. "Sure, the presence of new boss Dave Dombrowski peering down from the decision-maker's box has made some of these players put their best foot forward. But it has been Lovullo who has struck the right tone in the process, showing he can manage a big league team even under the kind of uneasy atmosphere that presented itself back in August."
Dombrowski also has to hire a new general manager, who may want to hand-pick a new manager depending on the direction the front office opts to steer the club in. With the immense turnover in skippers this season, Lovullo, who was a candidate for a number of managerial vacancies last year, is emerging as a viable candidate around the MLB once again.
If the Red Sox decide to move on from Farrell, could Lovullo be his successor? Or if they decide to keep Farrell, will they push to also keep Lovullo in the dugout on Farrell's staff?
The fates of Buchholz and Lovullo will be determined in the offseason, and it could be quick because Dombrowski has a lot more on his plate.
