After rebuilding the Red Sox in time for their 2013 championship season, GM Ben Cherington has to remake the team yet again, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes. One item on Cherington’s plate as the Red Sox finish their season is sorting through a number of young players, particularly in the rotation. “Right now we’re going to use the next several weeks to find out about the guys we have,” says Cherington. “We have 8-10 young starting pitchers who are here, at Triple A, and Double A. … In the offseason I’m sure we’ll look at starting pitching alternatives, whether it’s free agents or trades, and see what’s available to us. But we need guys in the organization to step up.” With the trades of Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jake Peavy, the Red Sox’ rotation now includes less experienced players in Brandon Workman, Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa and Joe Kelly. The Red Sox also have a high waiver priority due to their record, which makes them a team to watch as August progresses. Here are more notes from around the AL East.
- Allen Craig, who was acquired in the Lackey deal, has already landed on the disabled list with an ankle injury, but the Red Sox are not worried about him in the long term, Alex Speier of WEEI.com writes. “There’s no concern about whether he’s going to be OK to play and feel good and be completely healthy,” says Cherington. “It’s just a question of making sure that we’re not putting him in a position where he’s compromised and maybe is at risk of doing something else by making up for what’s going on in his foot.”
- The Orioles will not pursue Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com writes. They’ve scouted him and they like his talent, but they think he’ll be too expensive to sign.
- The list of potential Yankees September call-ups includes 2014 second-round pick Jacob Lindgren, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com writes. The reliever dominated the low minors, striking out 17 batters in 7 1/3 innings at Class A+ Tampa, and he’s currently with Double-A Trenton.
- Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler isn’t bitter about missing out on the Padres GM job, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News writes. The job ultimately went to A.J. Preller of the Rangers. “Oddly, I’m not upset,” says Eppler. “Maybe if I did something and had a misstep, I would be disappointed in myself. I think the baseball gods didn’t feel like it was my time to leave the Yankees.”
I wonder if Cashman will be promoted in some capacity after this year and Eppler will be named the new Yankees GM. I wonder how so many of us Yankee fans will blame Cash after that. Oh and Lindgren please, kthnxbai
The Sox will probably look to trade some of their starting depth for useful pieces in the offseason. They’ll sign at least one proven starter, probably two.
Craig’s DL visit isn’t a huge concern, but it’s certainly frustrating.
I think Craig’s trip to the DL is a lot more to do with getting him a mental break than the ankle, and I think that’s a smart move by the Red Sox. He was obviously very frustrated the last month+ in St. Louis. Put him on the DL for three weeks and let him get his mind and body right. Then start fresh.
I agree, but I still don’t want him on the team.
Craig’s DL visit only vindicates my disdain for the deadline trades even more. Prediction: Allen Craig will be effectively useless for the remainder of his contract.
I really want to know what went on behind closed doors between Lackey’s agents and the front office. There has to be more to this story.
Only way anything makes sense is if Lackey straight-up told the Sox he’d retire if they didn’t trade him, but it really doesn’t seem like him.
I suspect if that’s true and it probably is, then we’ll hear about it sooner or later.
I am a little disappointed that the O’s couldn’t give Castillo a swing here.
However, if we can get Nate the Great from the Cubbies, that would help unfray the nerves! =P