Abraham: Trade Clay Buchholz While Stock Is High?
BOSTON (CBS) - Given where the Red Sox are in the standings (nine games under .500, last in the AL East), and given the fact they may need to call up some more arms to continue to develop their young talent, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Jon Wallach is starting to wonder about the future of starting pitcher Clay Buchholz.
The bottom completely fell out for Buchholz in 2014, where he managed to earn just eight wins and saw his ERA balloon to 5.34. After a rocky start in April to begin 2015, the de facto ace has won three of his last four starts in the month of June to go with his 2.81 June ERA.
On Toucher & Rich Tuesday morning, the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham entertained the idea of the Red Sox getting something valuable in return for Buchholz.
"I think in the next 10 days when they play all these American League East teams that is going to have a lot to say about it," Abraham said, noting the Sox play three games vs. Baltimore, three games at Tampa Bay and three games in Toronto all in a row.
"If they're in the race and it looks like they are five games out or something like that I don't think they would trade Buchholz. I think they would try and keep the group together and see what they can do with it. But if at that point [after the three straight division series] they are 13 games out, I think [trading Buchholz] is something they have to seriously think about," Abraham said.
Buchholz has a $13 million team option after this season, so the Red Sox are going to have to weigh that or trading him for something advantageous while he is healthy and still has value.
"He could be a good pickup for a playoff [bound] team. I think how they play in these next couple weeks will determine what they do with him," Abraham concluded.
Abraham also talked about Hanley Ramirez irking teammates, the struggles of Rick Porcello, John Farrell's recent lineup switch, the possibility of trading Clay Buchholz and much more.
Listen below:
