The Boston Red Sox’s weekend visit to free-agent pitcher Justin Masterson apparently was more than just due diligence.
The Red Sox have made a contract offer to Masterson, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman and ESPN.com’s Gordon Edes. Heyman reports the Texas Rangers also have offered a contract to the right-hander.
The Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins have expressed some level of interest in Masterson, according to Heyman. The Red Sox reportedly visited Masterson at his home in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Masterson is coming off a disappointing season in which he went 7-9 with a 5.88 ERA in 28 appearances (25 starts) split between the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. The Indians traded Masterson to the Cardinals at the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, but the change of scenery didn’t help, as the righty faltered down the stretch and failed to crack St. Louis’ National League Division Series and NL Championship Series rosters.
Masterson, who turns 30 in March, was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round in 2006. He broke into the majors with Boston in 2008 and eventually was traded to Cleveland at the trade deadline in 2009 as part of the deal that sent Victor Martinez to the Red Sox.
According to Edes, Masterson is believed to be looking to re-establish his value on a one- or two-year contract. Masterson topped 180 innings in four consecutive seasons from 2010 through 2013. He went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA during his 2013 All-Star campaign.
A return to Boston would reunite Masterson with his former pitching coach and current Red Sox manager John Farrell.
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports Images
