Boston Red Sox: A Final Look at the Possible Starting Pitchers

With just less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to the new Red Sox spring training facilities, it looks as if the roster is virtually set. What is still in question are the final two slots in the starting rotation. A late signing of a free agent is still a possibility but still very unlikely. Here's what we can make of the pitchers currently on the roster or those with spring training invitations. 

The Locks

Josh Beckett: After a 13-7 season and another All-Star appearance for the hard-throwing right-hander, you can expect Beckett to be atop of the starting rotation. Despite the fact that new manager Bobby Valentine had a problem with how long Beckett held the ball on the mound, that seems to be in the past. Will Beckett be the first pitcher to face Prince Fielder in a Tigers uniform? That will be up to Bobby V to decide.

Jon Lester: Lester won at least 15 games for the fourth consecutive year last season and hopes to improve that number in 2012. It's tough to make a case against Lester as the Opening Day starter, but we'll have to see what kind of crazy ideas Valentine will have. The 2010-11 season was the only full season where the lefty didn't throw for at least 200 innings, but that shouldn't be a consistent thing.

Clay Buchholz: Coming off a back injury that only allowed him to pitch in 14 games last season, Buchholz's health is one of the biggest questions going into the season. Boston is relying on him to pitch behind Beckett and Lester, having minimal options after the trio. The best that Red Sox nation can hope for is another 2010 season for Clay, where he went 17-7 and posted a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts.

The Possibilities

Daniel Bard: The hopeful starter is another big question mark going into spring training. We know that Bard will at least get a shot at a starter job, as Boston really doesn't have any legitimate options as of now. He has never started a professional baseball game but did start at the University of North Carolina. In his last three seasons coming out of the bullpen, he had a 2.88 ERA in 197 innings of work. 

Alfredo Aceves: This right-hander was one of the most valuable pitchers for Boston last season, being consistent on the mound, both as a starter and a reliever. If Boston cannot find a fifth starter, there's a good chance that Alfredo is the guy. He's 2-1 in nine career starts and is definitely better coming out of the bullpen, appearing in 109 career games in that situation. He's truly a last resort.

Aaron Cook: The Red Sox signed Cook to a minor league contract this offseason and if he makes the roster, will be paid $1.2 million. Last season with the Colorado Rockies, he went 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA in less than 100 innings of work. He will be one of many competing for a job in spring training and could be the best fit. 

The Long Shots

Vicente Padilla: Padilla is another pitcher that Boston signed this offseason to a minor league deal who is set to compete in spring training. If he makes the team, he'll earn $1.5 million, but don't expect that to happen. Padilla hasn't thrown more than 100 innings since 2009, with injuries plaguing his past two seasons. Boston needs someone who's going to throw more than 8.2 innings in a season.

Carlos Silva: Silva pitched for the rival Yankees last season but only in the minor leagues. He, like many of the other pitchers on this list, also signed a minor league deal this offseason. In 2010, he went 10-6 with the Chicago Cubs, but he only pitched in 113 innings over 21 starts. That means that, at best, he can make it into the sixth inning while allowing over four runs. Eh, no thanks, Carlos. 

Justin Germano: Who is Justin Germano? Good question. He pitched half the 2011 season with the Cleveland Indians before being released and finishing the year in South Korea. He's never been a good pitcher in the major leagues but is willing to give it another shot. He must feel pretty confident since he tuned down a contract that would pay him $1 million next season.

Tim Wakefield: Despite not currently having a contract with the Red Sox, would it be crazy to at least invite Wakefield to spring training? It couldn't hurt, right? The guy does have 186 career wins in a Boston uniform, needing seven more to become the franchise's all-time leader. Worst comes to worst, Boston cuts him or he retires. Best-case scenario...?

The Future

Daisuke Matsuzaka: At this point, I can't wait until Daisuke comes back. We should expect a return at some point during midseason, possibly around the All-Star break. He only started seven games last season before it was announced that he would require Tommy John surgery. He's 49-30 with a 4.25 ERA in 622.2 innings in his five years in Boston.

Alex Wilson: Wilson pitched primarily in Double-A last season but did get a small taste of Triple-A ball. He went 9-4 in 21 starts for Portland in 2011, throwing in 112 innings. He won one of four starts with Pawtucket and will most likely start 2012 there. A September call-up is not out of the question for Wilson.

Anthony Ranaudo: The fifth-best Boston prospect, and best pitcher, according to MLB.com, pitched in 26 games between Salem and Greenville in 2011. It would take a major leap of faith to bring Ranaudo up to the majors this early in his career, but who knows? He could also be used as trade bait, if absolutely necessary.

Matt Barnes: MLB.com puts Barnes 12th on Boston's organizational rankings. He was a first-round draft pick in 2011, coming out of the University of Connecticut. His first season as a professional should shed some light on the future of this right-hander.

Felix Doubront: It would seem 2012 will be the season where we see if Doubront is going to make it in Boston or not. He's had several stints in the big leagues over the last few seasons, but he's never really gotten to show what he's made of. He will most likely be a reliever and spot-starter with Boston in 2012, or he will just start for Pawtucket. Doubront is a name you could hear in trade rumors throughout the season as well.

Drake Britton: Ranked as Boston's 13th best prospect, Britton had a pretty terrible season with Salem last season. In 26 starts, he finished 1-13 with an ERA approaching 7.00. Time to be alarmed? Not yet. He may not be completely healed from Tommy John surgery in 2008, so another season should let Boston know if he is a legitimate prospect.

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