The Boston Red Sox are looking toward the desert in their pursuit of starting pitching.
The Red Sox have engaged in trade discussions with the Arizona Diamondbacks about pitcher Wade Miley, sources told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi late Tuesday night. WEEI.com’s Alex Speier heard the same from an industry source, adding that the D-Backs appear to be focused on acquiring pitching in return for the 28-year-old left-hander.
Miley went 8-12 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 33 starts in 2014. He struck out a career-high 183 hitters and walked 75 in 201 1/3 innings. The former first-round pick has tossed at least 194 innings each of the last three seasons, so he could bring stability to the Red Sox’s rotation despite likely slotting in at the back end of the unit.
Miley is 38-35 with a 3.79 ERA in 106 career appearances (102 starts). He was named an All-Star in 2012 — a season in which he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting — and might have even better numbers if not for pitching his home games in an environment notoriously tough on pitchers.
Miler is arbitration eligible this offseason. The southpaw is under team control through the 2017 season.
UPDATE, Wednesday, 5:50 p.m. ET: Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart has thrown cold water on this rumor.
There were conflicting reports Wednesday about whether Miley was close to landing with the Red Sox. It appears Miley is staying put for now, though, as Boston currently isn’t engaged in negotiations with Arizona.
“We are not talking to Boston,” Stewart said, according to MLBDailyDish.com’s Chris Cotillo.
Thumbnail photo via Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports Images
