Red Sox Buchholz Would Welcome Trade

In a recent interview with New England Cable News, Pawtucket Starter Clay Buchholz said he would welcome a trade, if it would allow him a chance to pitch in the Major Leagues.

"I feel like I'm more equipped with everything that I have right now as far as the pitches and the mental aspect and (being) physically healthy to be up there and helping that team (the Red Sox)," Buchholz said. "If not that team I want to be in the big leagues and I do want to go somewhere where I'll be able to play and pitch every fifth day."

Buchholz is currently 4-0 with a 1.59 era, and 59 k's in 67 innings pitched for The Pawtucket Red Sox, the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate.

This interview comes in light of the expected return of John Smoltz to the Red Sox rotation June 25, which has also led to speculation that the Sox may deal Brad Penny. Belief within the organization is that Buchholz will not be going anywhere, and barring a trade of Penny, it is more likely that Smoltz will take the spot of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Expect Matsuzaka to be placed on the DL, or be sent to the bullpen, which would mean that reliever Daniel Bard will be sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket.