Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Justin Masterson Back to Boston?

The trade deadline is fast approaching in the MLB, and the Red Sox have yet to make the big deadline deal that everyone has been expecting.

There have been rumors that the Red Sox could trade Josh Beckett or trade for players such as Matt Garza and Josh Johnson.

But the latest rumor that is being addressed is the possibility of Boston bringing back starting pitcher Justin Masterson, whom the Red Sox traded to the Indians in the Victor Martinez trade in 2009.

The report says that the Indians have made Masterson available, and the Red Sox and Rangers sent scouts to his last start to see him pitch.

Masterson had his best season in 2011; he went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA with the Indians. But this season hasn't been quite as good, as he has a record of 7-9 with a 4.47 ERA.

Masterson is still pretty young, just 27 years old, and if Boston could sign him after trading for him, they would be adding a solid piece to the rotation for the next few years. If he can return to his 2011 form, he could become one of the top-two pitchers in the rotation.

The Josh Beckett trade rumors are running rampant, and if he gets dealt, Boston will need to fill that hole in the rotation.

Could Justin Masterson be that guy? I think he could be, but only time will tell.