The Boston Red Sox have had a productive offseason and look all set to contend in 2015 if they can land the one piece that has thus far eluded them: a top-flight starting pitcher. The team added multiple quality hitters and filled out the back end of their rotation, and they have the trade chips left to add a staff ace if they want.
The Red Sox thought they had Jon Lester, but he chose Chicago. They are not expected to shell out $200 million for Max Scherzer, and they likely do not want to give James Shields a contract that will run until he is nearly 40. They also are unwilling to part with the kind of top-notch prospects that it would take to land Cole Hamels in a trade.
However, according to Baseball News Source, the Red Sox may have their sights set on another pitcher on the Philadelphia staff. After struggling with injuries in 2014, Cliff Lee is reportedly healthy and ready for spring training. If he starts the season looking like his old self, he would make a very attractive trade target for Boston.
St. Louis Still Looking To Add An Ace
Lee is 36 and owed as much as $52.5 million over the next two years if his options vest, and Boston could likely get Lee for much less than Philadelphia wants for Hamels. The left-hander would make a nice short-term fill-in for Boston if he proves able to pitch at a high level.
The Red Sox have also been rumored to be interested in Washington's Jordan Zimmermann and Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto, but both may be available as free agents next offseason. If they could get Lee without surrendering any top prospects, they could have the arm the need to contend in 2015 and then sign a young ace to headline their starting rotation for the next several years.
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