Red Sox front-runner for Buehrle

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According to a source close to the situation, negotiations between the White Sox and Mark Buehrle's camp have been exhausted, with GM Ken Williams believing he has no choice but to trade the left-hander. The only question now is where? At least seven teams have made serious contact with Williams, with three actually having the resources to pry Buehrle from the White Sox. The Braves and Mets were the leading contenders until this weekend, with the Red Sox now becoming the front-runner.

Chicago Sun Times

Mark Buerhle, John Grieshop/Getty Images Mark Buerhle, John Grieshop/Getty Images
June 24, 2007  10:09 AM ET

The Red Sox don't need anymore starting pitching this would be overkill.

June 24, 2007  11:27 AM ET

While he has recently settled into his role as a starter, Julian Tavarez is still only 5 - 4 with an ERA of 4.50. Tim Wakefield is 7 - 8 with an ERA of 4.52. Buehrle is only 4 - 4 for a Whitesox team that can't buy a win right now and has an ERA of 3.39. Curt Schilling is obviously beginning to show his age with mysterious tendinitis and inconsistent outings. Buehrle is also only 28, and there has been a trend in the Redsox rotation getting younger. I don't know how much time is left on Buehrle's contract, but I do know Curt Schilling is not planning on returning next year. I don't see why this wouldn't be huge for the Redsox if the right deal could be worked out.

June 24, 2007  11:30 AM ET

The more the better

Schilling
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Buehrle
Wakefield
Lester

6-man rotation isn't all that bad.

June 24, 2007  11:44 AM ET

They'd never go to a 6-man rotation.

And Schilling is completely planning on returning next year, agc2f.

June 24, 2007  11:44 AM ET

And Boston1788: You can bet that Lester will no longer be a member of the Red Sox if Buehrle were to come aboard.

June 24, 2007  11:49 AM ET

It'll be better cause Wakefield sucks...so take him off the rotation:

Schilling
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Burhrle
Lester

June 24, 2007  11:59 AM ET

Schilling planning to return is news to me... if he is then that's just another reason to bring in another young arm anyway - Schilling is a very well-seasoned veteran who can teach a lot to a young staff. I do agree that Wakefield is proving to be more of an expense than an asset for the Sox, and still think that fantasies of Jon Lester doing anything notable are dangerous, but I wouldn't kick him out of the organization just yet - that kind of emotional comeback can be inspiring for any team and he was never bad, he was just never that good.

June 24, 2007  12:03 PM ET

A. Yes, Schilling announced during spring training that he wanted to play another year? How you haven't heard this is very confusing.

B. They're not kicking Lester out, but any trade for Buehrle would surely include Lester.

June 24, 2007  12:08 PM ET

You have a good point, and i dont know how in the world I missed that. Definitely my fault for not keeping up. That just makes the idea even better to be honest. You do make a good point that Lester would have to be involved in any trade for Beurhle, but I think it would be worth it. Rotations can always get getter, and the Redsox rotation is hard to argue with as is, but Beurhle could certainly hold his on in the mix.

June 24, 2007  12:08 PM ET

Since when can any team have too many quality starting pitchers? Granted, the Red Sox need a shortstop capable of breaking the Mendoza Line more than anything right now (thus raising the question I've been asking since the winter of 2004: why didn't Theo attempt to re-sign Orlando Cabrera, anyway?) but the need for starting pitching depth cannot be denied either. When the "Big 3" of Schilling, Beckett & Matsuzaka are on, the Red Sox are virtually unbeatable in a short series; as we have seen, however, these three are not reliable to be on at all times or even the same time. Schilling & Beckett have varying injury issues, Matsuzaka has been wildly inconsistent along with Tavarez & Wakefield, and Jon Lester has looked great in the minors so far, but nobody is sure his body can't withstand the grind of the majors yet. Throw in the fact that Boston's current starters are all righties, and it becomes obvious that there is definitely a starting pitching need which would be filled very neatly by the acquisition of a young, playoff-experienced southpaw such as Buehrle. The only question is how big of a price Epstein & Co. are willing to pay for the services of a pitcher of Buehrle's caliber.

June 24, 2007  12:11 PM ET

Where the hell would the Red Sox put him? Lester is coming back.

June 24, 2007  12:12 PM ET

Please don't bring up Cabrera. Seeing the numbers he's putting up (and hell, Alex Gonzalas for that matter) is just maddening. A case of not leaving well enough alone.

And Aqc, you're right. It'd be a great move for the Red Sox. And I'd probably be okay with letting Lester go. While he's looked great in the minors, Buehrle is a young, veteran lefty who has showed the ability to thrive in the AL and playoffs.

June 24, 2007  12:17 PM ET

Schilling, Beckett, and Matsuzaka are locks in the rotation. Beurhle would be as well. Is anyone else as impressed with Juian Tavarez lately? He lost his first 4 starts, but hasn't lost since... How about coughing up Lester and someone else for Beurhle, put wakefield in the pen so Mirabelli doesnt have to drag things down when he has to catch for wakefield, and do it this way: Schilling, Beckett, Beurhle, Matsuzaka, Tavarez?

June 24, 2007  12:19 PM ET

I think that's the best best, aqc.

June 24, 2007  12:28 PM ET

With two 40+ year old arms in the rotation, plus Timlin in the 'pen, pitching is liable to crash at any time. Both Wake and Shill are inconsistent - as most 40 somethings are - you can't win championships hoping for good luck. Lester is a pipe dream - big ERA last year despite his record, otherwise unproven - what makes people think he will be the savior? Tavares has been good of late, some might say better than Wakefield! And remember, Wake also brings Mirabelli along, which makes for a big negative to the offense (what a bad deal that was bringing him back, but that's another story). So, what's the confusion? Beckett, Dice-K, Buehrle, and then chose two from Shill, Wake, Tavares and Lester. Powerful rotation, championship bound!

June 24, 2007  12:35 PM ET

The White Sox list of players in return is topped with Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury, which is a deal killer.

If they can pull it off with say Wily Mo Pena and another OF say David Murphy or Brandon Moss and a mid level pitching prospect then go for it, but onyl if u get a window to negotiate and lock Buerhle up long term.

If the Sox landed Beuhrle it doesnt spell the end of Lester, it does however spell the end of Schilling, and with Bostons sudden interest here perhaps Schillings injury is more sever then we think.

Assuming this deal happens the Sox rotation next year on opening day will be...

Beckett
Buehrle
Matsuzaka
Lester
Wakefield

The following year will likely spell the end of Wakefield in the rotation with Clay Buchholz taking his spot.

June 24, 2007  12:41 PM ET

i think getting burhele will be good. he has thrived under pressure (something which studs such as cla meredith didn't), and is showing his 05 mastery. i think it is safe to assume 06 was a fluke. i would be ok with trading...lester and wily mo? that would be fair, and would be even for both sides

June 24, 2007  12:42 PM ET

as well, im not giving up clay bucholtz or ellsbury for burhele. if it comes to that, its not worth it

June 24, 2007  12:47 PM ET

http://redsox.travisliles.com/2007/06/red-sox-eye-buehrle-chi-so x-like.html

 
June 24, 2007  12:52 PM ET

Redsox would have to be able to lock Beurhle down for any of this to be worth it.

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