You've probably heard it over and over again. The Boston Red Sox have the worst starting rotation ERA (5.75) in the MLB and their offseason acquisitions have clearly not been getting the job done. Will they look to solve the issue internally with their prospects, or go through with a big trade for Cole Hamels?
Within the past few days two of Boston's starters - Wade Miley and Clay Buchholz - have failed to get out of the third inning in their outings against the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays, which adds to the growing concerns (they rank 22nd in innings pitched too). Miley surrendered seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings on Sunday against Baltimore while Buchholz gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk in 2 2/3 innings on Tuesday against Toronto.
This prompted one listener of Buster Olney's Baseball Tonight Podcast to send in a "Bleacher Tweet" regarding Boston's starting rotation, thus creating new rumors.
"After seeing two Red Sox pitchers struggle to get through three innings, how long should [general manager] Ben Cherington wait before getting help?" the listener asked Olney.
"I don't think we're far from them considering all their options," Olney said on the Baseball Tonight Podcast. "But I do think the number one option they're going to look at is the promotion of Brian Johnson, who really impressed them in spring training. He's off to a great start in Triple-A."
The left-hander is already 3-1 with a 0.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in four starts (21 innings) at Pawtucket. This comes after his spring training with the Red Sox, during which he went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in seven games (three starts), totaling 20 innings.
Olney also downplayed the Red Sox going out and exploring a trade for an established starter this early in the season, if at all.
"I think there's no chance they jump in on a high price tag for someone like Cole Hamels, and I think it's something the Phillies need to realize," he added.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe agrees, but to a greater degree.
"They have devoted too many resources to their lineup and pitching staff to do that this early. They're not going to blow things up in a division where nobody is going to run away and hide, at least for a while. Tweaks? Yes. One or two prospect pitchers coming up? Perhaps. I just don't see well-paid veteran starters getting replaced this quickly."
The Globe's Alex Speier noted on Wednesday that the team has not "intensified their pursuit of starting pitchers through trades despite the dismal performance of their rotation to date" and Cherington told him the club is "focused on helping the guys that are here now pitch to their capability."
So in the meantime, as manager John Farrell tries to figure out his next plan of action, look for the promotion of a prospect before the team sinks their resources into a blockbuster trade.
