Red Sox Call Royals About Mark Redman

A source tells me that the Red Sox have placed a call with Kansas City to assess their demands for 32 year-old All-Star southpaw Mark Redman.  I say All-Star with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

In 15 starts this year, Redman has a 5.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.  Redman’s walks have been up this season, and it’s hard to survive when striking out 3.3 batters per nine.  He missed a start with forearm tightness in late May, and missed the first two weeks of April because of knee surgery.

Redman chose to exercise his $4.5MM player option last November with the Pirates, leading to a trade to the Royals the next month.  Another possible contributor is rumored trouble in the clubhouse.

To his credit, Redman did manage a decent June with five wins and a 3.74 ERA.  He’s tied with Scott Elarton for the team lead in quality starts, with six in fifteen tries.  That’s a backhanded compliment, as even Jeff Weaver has had seven quality starts.  Scuffy Moehler, too.  I’m not sure what the Red Sox or any other suitor would have to give up for Redman, but it won’t be much.