Pedroia, Ellsbury should be Sox’ untouchables [Boston Herald]
In today’s Boston Herald, Steve Buckley writes about who he thinks Theo Epstein should hold onto if trading for Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins. He would like the Boston Red Sox to keep Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury.
To make this trade happen, I would sadly part with Lester, who will always be an inspiration to us all. I would part with Buchholz, who very likely will emerge as a top pitcher down the road. As for some other very talented kids in the system – Brandon Moss and Justin Masterson, to name a couple – they, too, could be used in a deal for Santana.
Honestly, I think the Red Sox would be crazy to include Buchholz as well. Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield are nearing the end of their careers and the Sox will need to replace them in the rotation. That is if Buchholz makes the rotation this year.
Right now the Red Sox have 6 pitchers for a 5-man rotation. If you picked up Santana for either Lester or Buchholz, you have your 5-man rotation for this year but not years to come. Both Lester and Buchholz have proved that they can pitch in the big leagues so you need to hold on to one of the two.
Remember one thing folks. The Red Sox can also dangle Coco Crisp out there.
