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Red Sox Rumors: Boston Focused on Starting Pitching

By Blaine Blontz
May 2, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington speaks with reporters prior to a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE
May 2, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington speaks with reporters prior to a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

The Boston Red Sox are completely focused on starting pitching as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, reports Buster Olney of ESPN. Earlier this month it was reported that the Red Sox were prioritizing starting pitching depth this summer.

The Red Sox entered the day a game under .500 and in fourth place in the American League East, thanks in large part to their pitching, or lack thereof.

Boston’s starters currently rank in the bottom third of the majors in ERA, quality starts and WHIP. No Red Sox starter has an ERA south of 4.14.

While some members of Boston’s staff have pitched better than others, Josh Beckett has posted a solid 1.15 WHIP on the season, Red Sox starters as a whole have struggled. Daniel Bard was recently demoted to Triple-A only to be replaced by the similarly erratic Daisuke Matsuzaka.

There are several starters expected to be available this summer, including Bartolo Colon of the Oakland Athletics, Wandy Rodriguez of the Houston Astros, Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster of the Chicago Cubs and Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano of the Minnesota Twins.

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