John Farrell Would Love For Red Sox To Sign David Price, Zack Greinke

The Boston Red Sox need pitching. They know it, we know it, and no one is trying to hide that. Not even manager John Farrell.

Farrell joined WEEI’s “Hot Stove Show” on Tuesday and touched on several topics, including, of course, starting pitching. Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hasn’t been shy in saying the team’s No. 1 priority is acquiring an ace to headline the top of its rotation, and Farrell echoed that sentiment.

“I think it’s clear that updating pitching on both sides of the rotation and bullpen is a need,” Farrell told WEEI. “It’s an approach that is taking shape, obviously, with the trade of (All-Star closer Craig) Kimbrel. But if we can land a starting pitcher and price that individual above the current starters that we have, I think it’s one — you’re gonna look at a guy that’s potentially not only a tremendous talent, but one you’ve probably made a long-term commitment to. … That would go a long way in taking our rotation another step forward.

“We all saw what Eddie Rodriguez can do in the handful of starts — it gave us a pretty good glimpse that this is a special talent. (Add in) a healthy Clay Buchholz — and there’s always going to be that durability question that needs to be answered — but now all of the sudden you look at the top half of the rotation, and the way Rick Porcello came back after the DL stint (and) pitched to his capabilities, you start to look at a very formidable rotation that can work deep into game. Now you’re looking at Kimbrel, Koji (Uehara), (Junichi) Tazawa, Robbie Ross, a pretty good core back there finishing out the game.”

One recent report from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal suggested the team would chase both David Price and Zack Greinke — the two most sought-after pitchers available. When that report was brought up to Farrell, he praised the crop of quality, top-end aces on the market before adding “every effort is being made to fill that need.”

But how perfect would it be if the Red Sox actually managed to sign both Price and Greinke?

“That would be like having two turkeys at Thanksgiving,” Farrell enthusiastically replied with a laugh. “We’re hopeful that we can add another starter to us, and we’ll see how that plays out.”

Is it possible? Sure. Probable? Less so. But who knows? Maybe Farrell will get his holiday wish. After all, a Thanksgiving trade 12 years ago brought Curt Schilling to Boston. That’s something for which Red Sox fans still are quite thankful.