Red Sox News & Notes: Buchholz’s Option in Limbo, Louvullo Interviewing
The Red Sox still haven’t made a decision on whether the team will pick up the option for pitcher Clay Buchholz.
Is Clay Buchholz worth keeping around for another season? That is the question the Boston Red Sox will have to answer this offseason. So far, the team has not made a decision on whether to exercise Buchholz’s $13.5 million option for 2017.
It is the inconsistency of the right-handed pitcher that may factor in on picking up that option. Following a dismal start to the 2016 season, Buchholz did bunch back during the final stretch of the regular season. In eight starts he went 4-0 and posted an ERA of 2.98.
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Buchholz also pitched meaningful innings out of the bull pen, posting a 1.93 ERA in eight relief outings.
If anything, he has proved he can be of value to another team. With that being said, the Red Sox could pick up the option and then see what they can get for Buchholz on the trade market. They can also keep him around as a end of the rotation starter behind David Price, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez.
Whatever the Red Sox decide to do, they will have five days after the completion of the World Series to make that decision.
Torey Louvullo to Arizona?
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Red Sox may have to find a new bench coach. That’s because current bench coach Torey Lovullo will reportedly interview for the Arizona Diamondbacks managerial opening. Former major league player Alex Cora will also interview for the job.
Sources: Torey Lovullo will interview with @Dbacks for their managerial job soon. Alex Cora about to interview for same job, per @JonHeyman.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 29, 2016
Now that former Red Sox executive Mike Hazen is in Arizona, the connection does make sense. Louvullo did a good job managing the Red Sox during John Farrell’s leave due to health issues. He led Boston to a 27-20 record and became very popular with the younger players.
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Louvullo would’ve been a great choice to replace Farrell if the team decided to go in another direction following a disappointing exit from the playoffs.
Notes
Former Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester continues his dominance on the mound in the playoffs. Sunday night, Lester led the Cubs to 3-2 victory over the Indians in Game 5 of the World Series. Lester allowed just two runs in six innings to improve his World Series record to 4-1. The left-handed pitcher is hoping his team can extend the series as the Fall Classic heads back to Cleveland.
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