The Red Sox’ rotation looks pretty much set for 2013, but with Kyle Lohse still available in free agency, there have been some rumblings about whether Boston should make a play for the reigning 16-game winner. It looks like it’s time to pump the brakes on those rumors.
According to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford, a major league source said that it is “highly unlikely” the Red Sox will sign Lohse, who is considered the top free-agent pitcher remaining on the open market.
The Sox have been linked to Lohse in the past, but that was before Boston opted to sign Ryan Dempster, who now figures to be the team’s No. 3 starter behind Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. A very confident John Lackey is also still in the mix, while Felix Doubront figures to round out the staff — with Franklin Morales also capable of starting some games.
You can never have too much pitching, and you can certainly never have too much quality pitching. Lohse, who is coming off a season in which he went 16-3 with a 2.86 ERA for the Cardinals, fits the mold of a quality pitcher. However, signing Lohse would require the Red Sox to give up draft pick compensation in addition to making a sizable financial commitment.
That’s something general manager Ben Cherington probably isn’t too keen on, even if the Red Sox still have money available.
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Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison
