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As we all vent over the mediocrity of the 2015 Red Sox pitching rotation, it's instructive to look at
how the Cardinals view one piece of that rotation—Joe Kelly.
MassLive.com's Jason Mastrodonato reports that St. Louis GM
John Mozeliak did not really want to give up Kelly in the trade that netted him veteran
John Lackey,
"Obviously when you have to give up somebody like a Joe Kelly, it’s not an easy decision. He’s a very talented young man, one of the better athletes we had on our team and I think he has a very bright future. But at that moment in time I thought that’s what we most needed...I would imagine big things for him." Boston has the 26-year old Kelly under contractual control until 2019—and last year he made just $523,000. Moreover, Kelly is seen as having a big upside. Said former Sox catcher
David Ross,
"As far as stuff goes, he's one of the better guys I've ever caught. He can really run it up there good. He locates." Very soon, the Lackey-for-Kelly deal may be looked upon as one of
Ben Cherington's best.
