NESN

Is Zach Greinke the Best Available Starting Pitcher at This Year’s Trade Deadline?

The July 31 trade deadline is quickly approaching. With the second wild card added this year, many teams that normally wouldn’t be in contention find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt and the competition for help is getting fierce.

The Red Sox may be a .500 team entering Wednesday, but with a new arm in the rotation, they could make a run at a postseason berth.

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester haven’t been the aces they were expected to be and the rest of the staff has generally underperformed as well. If Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington decides to pull the trigger on a deadline deal, he has a lot of intriguing options to consider.

Zach Greinke seems to be the biggest name on the trading block this summer. The former All-Star is in the final year of his contract with the Brewers and coming off of a sterling performance against the Phillies on Tuesday. There have been talks of the Brewers extending Greinke’s contract, but without one the 28-year-old will likely be on the trading block. Greinke comes with some question marks considering his well-known anxiety issues, but there’s no denying his talent.

Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza are two Cubs that have some value on the trade market. Dempster was almost dealt to the Braves on Monday, but had no interest in joining the Braves, as he has the right to veto any trade with his 10-5 rights. Garza has many suitors for him, plus he knows the AL East very well.

In closer proximity, Red Sox fans know Tampa Bay’s James Shields very well. Shields has always been a tough competitor for the Sox, but the Angels seem very interested in the veteran righty and he might be off the market in a hurry.

Another intriguing option could be Francisco Liriano. Seven years ago, Twins fans wouldn’t even think about trading him, but here we are. Liriano hasn’t been the same since he had Tommy John surgery in 2006, but a new city could revive his career.

Who is the best available pitcher at this year’s trade deadline?