The Red Sox' Asking Price For Clay Buchholz Is Reportedly 'Too High'
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Miami Marlins must really, really like this jar of pine tar they've been working with. Or maybe they just love the upside of Player To Be Named Later.
The Marlins have reportedly been talking to the Red Sox ahead of Monday's 4 p.m. trade deadline. According to a tweet by insider Jon Heyman, Buchholz's name came up in trade talks but the Marlins apparently believe Boston's asking price is "too high."
If the Red Sox are seeking serious assets in return for Buchholz, the only one in this scenario who's too high is Dave Dombrowski. Buchholz has a 5.79 ERA in 2016 and is 19-27 with a 4.81 ERA since 2013. He's simply not going to fetch you anything legit from a competent GM, but Dombrowski apparently had the audacity to ask Miami for an actual player in return.
At this point, it feels like most of Red Sox Nation would be happy to jettison Buchholz for what many would term a "bag of balls." Cash considerations, a player to be named later, something of that nature.
Replies to Heyman's tweet for possible "asking prices" from the Red Sox ranged from a foot-long sub to an EMPTY bag of baseballs. Buchholz has been a candidate to be designated for assignment ever since the Red Sox traded for Drew Pomeranz, so it would be a surprise if he could net anything tangible in a deal with the Marlins.
However, Craig Kimbrel's imminent return to the Red Sox bullpen means someone will have to go, and since Buchholz can't be demoted to Triple-A, he could be DFA'd or traded sometime before the deadline to make room. Just don't expect anything substantial in return from whoever acquires him.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
