Still in need of an ace, the Boston Red Sox are still very much interested in a couple of Philadelphia Phillies pitchers. Which starter are the Red Sox more likely to chase if trade talks were to heat up?
Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are still on Boston's radar and Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro has sent one of his top advisers to scout Red Sox players on Monday, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Charlie Kerfeld was taking a look at what the Red Sox had to offer, even though these two teams have been involved in trade talks since last July.
"To be sure, this won't be the last time we see Kerfeld or the host of other Philadelphia scouts and advisers we saw at Red Sox games last season. Nothing really came of those visits," Cafardo writes.
Amaro wants three top prospects in return for Hamels, who has a minimum of four years and $100 million left on his contract, while the price for Lee is significantly lower since the left-hander is recovering from a flexor pronator strain that limited him to 13 starts in 2014. He's owed $25 million in 2015 and carries a $27.5 million vesting option (or a $12.5 million buyout) that kicks in if he throws 200 innings in 2015.
However, as we've seen over the past eight months, the Red Sox are taking their time.
"There's no desperation in Boston," Cafardo added. "The Red Sox have five good starting pitchers, and the early part of the season will be telling as to whether they think they need more. If there's an injury or two in spring training, the desperation meter may register close to panic, but for now, no worries."
At this point, the Red Sox may be more apt to make a deal for Lee once he proves he's healthy after a few spring training starts. Lee is a much lesser financial commitment and wouldn't require the prospect haul Hamels would. The left-hander is only two seasons removed from an All-Star campaign during which he went 14-8 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 222 strikeouts in 31 starts (222 2/3 innings).
But here's another thought: the Red Sox recently acquired Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada and might now be in a better position to surrender some young talent for Hamels, who would guarantee them an ace for the next few years. Hamels would also ensure continuity atop the starting rotation, especially since Clay Buccholz and Rick Porcello can become free agents after the season.
We're a little over a month away from Opening Day, so we'll see what happens as spring training progresses. There's bound to be more speculation.
