Henry Owens, Fan Of John Lackey, Brushing Aside Red Sox Trade Rumors

Henry Owens saw one of his boyhood idols get traded last season. Now, the Boston Red Sox prospect is the subject of trade speculation.

Owens, a big John Lackey fan growing up, is entering his second major league spring training with the Red Sox. There’s been no indication that Boston is open to dealing the 22-year-old left-hander, but rumors still have been circulating, especially with the Red Sox lacking a clear-cut “ace.”

“My family will be like, ‘Did you see that?’ But I don’t pay attention to any of that,” Owens told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford this week in Fort Myers. “I’m a Red Sox right now, and I hope I’m a Red Sox for a long time.”

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said recently he didn’t expect the team to make any major moves before spring training, which officially kicks off Friday. Rumors involving Owens are inevitable, though, as he’s considered the No. 2 prospect in the Red Sox organization behind catcher Blake Swihart. Plenty of teams would love the lefty’s services.

Owens, also a fan of Randy Johnson and Barry Zito, is entering a critical season in his development. The young southpaw should at least be able to hit the ground running in camp now that he’s been through big league spring training once already.

“I would say the first week was pretty surreal,” Owens told Bradford this week while reflecting on his first major league spring training in 2014. “Growing up, one of my favorite pitchers was John Lackey, watching him as a kid. Then, I was eating lunch next to him and watching him throw bullpens.

“But halfway through camp, I just wanted to get ready for the season, knowing there weren’t any spots. I just wanted to develop, not really competing for a spot. Now, coming into camp, it’s a little different. I want to show them I’m ready.”

Owens had an impressive 2014 season. He went 17-5 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 26 starts split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. He’ll likely begin 2015 with the PawSox, but it might not be long before the 6-foot-6 hurler joins The Show.

Owens’ time is coming. A few rumblings aren’t going to change anything.