Clay Buchholz isn’t concerned about whether he’ll follow in the footsteps of Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jake Peavy, among others. Not every July rumor carries weight.
Buchholz, the only member of the Boston Red Sox’s 2014 Opening Day rotation to not be traded at last season’s Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, realizes his name could be tossed around in speculation leading up to July 31 this season. The right-hander is more focused on helping the Red Sox than worrying about outside chatter, though, especially given his experiences since joining the league.
“That’s out of my control. I have to go out and pitch,” Buchholz told CSNNE.com’s Jessica Moran before Friday’s game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. “I’ve been part of trade talks really early in my career. It’s just one of those things. It’s inevitable, it’s going to happen.”
Buchholz’s name is floating around in speculation because the Red Sox sit in last place in the American League East and the 30-year-old likely could fetch a hefty return. There’s been no indication Boston is willing to trade Buchholz, though. The Red Sox hold a $13 million club option on Buchholz for 2016 and a $13.5 million club option for 2017, which are reasonable figures given his recent success.
“Everybody that’s on a big league team knows that if the time comes around and you’re having a good stretch and it’s before the All-Star break or the trade deadline, then there’s probably a good chance that your name is going to be mentioned,” Buchholz told Moran. “There’s nothing I can do with that. It’s definitely out of my control. All I can do is prepare and pitch.”
Buchholz is having a very good season on a struggling team. The Red Sox haven’t committed to being buyers or sellers at this year’s deadline, but rumors are inevitable. It’s the nature of the beast.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
