9 Starting Pitchers Red Sox Should Target
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox addressed their needs in the lineup last week with the signings of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, but still have a glaring hole at the front of their rotation.
Boston entered the offseason in need of not one, but two pitchers for the top of their rotation. While there aren't many starters available on the free agent market, there are a handful
They are heavily involved in bringing back Jon Lester, but have plenty of competition in the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. Lester met with San Fran on Monday and has a big offer from the Cubs, but the lefty isn't expected to decide until the Winter Meetings next week.
Who else are the Red Sox in on, and who else should they be in on? Here are nine arms they should be targeting this winter for the front of their rotation:
1. Jon Lester
2014 Stats: 16-11, 2.46 ERA, in 32 starts for Red Sox/Athletics
Career Stats: 116-67, 3.58 ERA, 1.276 WHIP, 2.67 SO/BB
He's at the top of Boston's wish list (or they're making it look that way, at least) and there's little doubt why. Everyone in Boston knows what Lester can do on the mound, both in the regular season and playoffs, and he would bring his "winner mentality" back to the locker room.
2. Cole Hamels
2014 Stats: 9-9, 2.46 ERA, 198 Ks in 204.2 IP in 30 starts for Phillies
Career Stats: 108-83, 3.27 ERA, 1.142 WHIP, 3.36 SO/BB
If the Sox strike out on Lester, Hamels appears to be their backup plan. The Phillies ace and the $96 million remaining on his contract are available, but it will cost Boston a handful of prospects to get him.
Hamels is a year older than Lester, but has an impressive resume that includes a 7-4 record and 3.09 ERA in the postseason.
3. Johnny Cueto
2014 Stats: 20-9, 2.25 ERA, 242 Ks in 243.2 IP in 30 starts for Reds
Career Stats: 85-57, 3.27 ERA, 1.142 WHIP, 2.73 SO/BB
Cueto will be a free agent after the upcoming season, so the Reds may be looking to get something in return for the ace before he makes boatloads of cash on the open market. They're reportedly looking for a bat to add some pop to their lineup, so Boston could be a perfect dancing partner if the Reds fancy Yoenis Cespedes' power (and expiring contract) along with a collection of prospects.
It will cost prospects to get him to Boston and then a lot of cash to keep him, but Cueto would solidify that top spot in the rotation for years to come.
4. Mat Latos
2014 Stats: 5-5, 3.25 ERA, 74 Ks in 102.1 IP in 16 starts for Reds
Career Stats: 60-45, 3.34 ERA, 1.168 WHIP, 3.04 SO/BB
If the Reds don't want to deal Cueto, Boston may be able to pry Latos from their rotation. The 26-year-old would cost less than Cueto, though will still likely require Cespedes and a prospect, and would be the ideal No. 2 starter for Boston if they can also land a horse for the front of the rotation.
5. Ian Kennedy
2014 Stats: 13-13, 3.63 ERA, 207 Ks in 201 IP in 33 starts for Padres
Career Stats: 66-53, 3.93 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 2.68 SO/BB
Kennedy is coming off his best season since his 21-win year with Arizona back in 2011, and has experience pitching against the AL East from his time with the New York Yankees (2007-09). He'd be a cheaper trade option than either starter from the Reds, but will be a free agent in 2016 and is a Scott Boras client.
6. Jordan Zimmerman
2014 Stats: 14-5, 2.66 ERA, 182 Ks in 199.2 IP in 32 starts for Nationals
Career Stats: 57-40, 3.24 ERA, 1.149 WHIP, 4.06 SO/BB
The 28-year-old is coming off back-to-back All Star seasons for the Nationals, who could look to deal Zimmerman as he enters the final year of his contract (the two sides reportedly haven't resumed contract extension talks since they fell apart last winter).
7. Jon Niese
2014 Stats: 9-11, 3.40 ERA, 138 Ks in 187.2 IP in 30 starts for Mets
Career Stats: 52-51, 3.87 ERA, 1.354 WHIP, 2.69 SO/BB
The Mets have a good crop of young starting pitchers, and Niese is reportedly part of trio of starters they're looking to unload this winter. The 28-year-old lefty has put up some pretty good numbers the last three seasons (30-28 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.280 WHIP) despite pitching for the lowly Mets.
8. James Shields
2014 Stats: 14-8, 3.31 ERA, 180 Ks in 227 IP in 34 starts for Royals
Career Stats: 114-90, 3.72 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, 3.60 SO/BB
"Big Game" James certainly took a hit with a less-than-stellar postseason performance for the Royals this fall (1-2, 6.12 ERA in five starts), but he still fits the mold of that No. 2 starter the Red Sox are after.
Maybe his performance in the playoffs with decrease his price tag, though Boston has already shown they're willing to throw cash around this winter.
9. Jeff Samardzija
2014 Stats: 7-13, 2.99 ERA, 202 Ks in 219.2 IP in 33 starts for Cubs/Athletics
Career Stats: 36-48, 3.85 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 2.66 SO/BB (222 appearances, 90 starts)
This is the longest of longshots with the A's asking for a top prospect at shortstop in exchange for Samardzija, who is a free agent at the end of the season. Don't bet on Boston giving up on Xander Bogaerts for a potential season-long rental.
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