Cole Hamels apparently isn’t the only Philadelphia Phillies left-hander the Boston Red Sox are willing to consider.
The Red Sox and Phillies have discussed a possible trade that would send lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo to Boston and infield prospect Sean Coyle to Philadelphia, multiple industry sources confirmed to CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam. MLBDailyDish.com’s Chris Cotillo was the first to report Tuesday that the teams had discussions.
The Red Sox certainly could use a left-handed reliever after failing to sign Andrew Miller this offseason. Boston declined to exercise Craig Breslow’s $4 million club option, leaving Tommy Layne and Drake Britton as the two most notable internal lefty options.
Bastardo, who has one year remaining on his contract, posted a 3.94 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 67 appearances spanning 64 innings in 2014. The 29-year-old has a career 3.72 ERA in 275 appearances over parts of six seasons, all with Philadelphia.
Bastardo certainly has his flaws, as he issued a career-worst 4.8 walks per nine innings this season. But he also has strikeout capability. The southpaw struck out a career-best 14 hitters per nine innings in 65 appearances in 2012.
Coyle, who turns 23 next month, hit .295 with 16 homers, 61 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and an .883 OPS in 97 games with Double-A Portland this season. He struck out 95 times in 384 plate appearances and tapered off after a hot start, but Coyle’s extra-base pop is intriguing, especially given his 5-foot-8 frame.
Coyle recently was added to the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, thus protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
