Evidence is mounting that the 2015 Red Sox will feature a beefed-up offense—
backed up by five number three starting pitchers.
Ben Cherington is sending clearer and clearer signals that the team can be 'patient' on the remaining elite starters—and if their price drops before Spring Training, Boston
might go after one. Then again, they may open the year with a rotation of
Rick Porcello,
Clay Buchholz,
Wade Miley,
Joe Kelly and
Justin Masterson. If anyone gets hurt (or simply stinks), Cherington is content with dipping into the minors for the likes of
Anthony Ranaudo,
Brandon Workman,
Eduardo Rodriguez,
Brian Johnson,
Henry Owens, or
Matt Barnes. That's certainly a talented group to choose from—but
none of them can
today be counted on to perform at the major league level. This is a dangerous path the Sox are treading—made all the more frustrating because adding
one premier starter could put them over the top in a weakened AL East.
