Ex-Red Sox Hurler Expected To Cash In This Winter, Could Reunion Be On Horizon?
The Boston Red Sox need to improve their pitching staff if they want to avoid another last-place finish in the American League East.
If Boston decides to spend this offseason, which they have the money to do after resetting the luxury tax, there are plenty of hurlers available either through a trade or free agency.
The Athletic's Tim Britton created contract projections for the best available free-agent pitchers and concluded that Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez will land a five-year, $80 million deal.
"Rodriguez is opting out of three years and $49 million left on his deal with Detroit," Britton wrote. "At the very least, he should be able to tack on another year at that salary. Let’s give him two more."
Rodriguez had an impressive season with the Tigers, posting a 3.30 ERA with a 143-to-48 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .227 batting average against and 1.15 WHIP in 152 2/3 innings pitched across 26 games.
The Red Sox could target Rodriguez to bolster the pitching staff, but would still need to land a few more high-end arms to contend next season.
Bringing back a homegrown star such as Rodriguez would be a quality start to what hopefully will become a fruitful offseason.
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