| 28 July 2009
Clay Buchholz will take the mound for the Red Sox tonight while Theo Epstein and his crew debate whether or not to include him ina trade for the likes of Roy Halladay or Victor Martinez.
It's an interesting paradox, because a solid outing from Buchholz tonight might entice the Red Sox to hold onto one of their favorite young players... however, it might also make him more appealing to another organization, enabling the Sox to finalize a potetntial blockbuster trade.
A poor outing from Buchholz might make other teams hesitant, but his entire body of work should outweigh one mediocre perfromance. Buchholz dominated in Pawtucket, posting a 7-2 record, a 2.36 ERA and 89/30 K/BB rate through 99 innings of work. But he faltered in his last start before the call-up and hasn't really dominated at he big league level. Buchhy lasted just four innings against the Rangers in his last start and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks.
If he throws another dud tonight, the Sox might be inclined to include him in a trade, especially if meant having Roy Halladay in the rotation... and not in New York. But if he can prove that he can win in the majors, the Sox may chose to keep Buchholz and hope he can become a major part of the rotation for years to come. That is what they have been banking on all along after all.
The Sox also need to remember that Tim Wakefield is 42 and on the DL again... John Smoltz is struggling and won't likely be back in 2010... Daisuke Matsuzka remains a question mark (and is talking smack to Japanese papers)... and Josh Beckett is nearing the ned of his current deal.
Roy Hallady would almost solidify the Sox as a World Series front runner, but what happens after that? Buchholz won't be the only pitching prospect included in a deal for Halladay or V-Mart... and with the questions above, can we really afford to lose the likes of Buchholz, Masterson, Bowden, Bard, Delcarmen, Tazawa and others?
Bottom Line: This will be Buchholz first start at Fenway Park since he got shellacked by the Angels on July 29th almost one year ago to the day... Personally, I hope that it is not his last, but we'll know for sure on July 31st.
Game Notes: Jacoby is riding a four-game mulit-hit streak right now... Mike Lowell is riding a 6-game hitting streak since returning from the DL... Dustin Pedroia is hitting .366 with three homers in July... Oakland's starter Vin Mazzaro has lost six games in a row... he's also walked 23 in 54+ innings of work, so look for the Sox to wor k the count tonight...
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