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| Photo Credit: Boston Herald |
After posting their worst season in 47 years with a record of 69-93 and finishing last in the American League East for the first time since 1992, when they finished in 7th place, a change is imminent.
Thanks in large part is due to the Los Angeles Dodgers for alleviating a swelled payroll of bad contracts.
From the blockbuster mid-season trade, the Red Sox now have considerable capital to spend should they choose to do so.
Obviously the hope is that they spend wisely.
The biggest issue facing the free agent market for the Red Sox is the scarcity of players available to fit the team needs accordingly.
The team is in need of a starting pitcher, first baseman and corner outfielders. There is also uncertainty at the shortstop position once again. (Shocking, I know.)
For the first time since making the trade for Adrian Gonzalez back in the winter of 2010, the Red Sox have considerable depth in their farm system. They should use some of that depth to bring Justin Masterson back to Boston from the Cleveland Indians.
In 67 games for the Red Sox, Masterson posted a 9-8 record with a 3.76 ERA and a 1.279 WHIP. A majority of his appearances came out of the bullpen as he made only 15 starts while throwing for 160.1 innings.
For the Cleveland Indians, Masterson has been utilized as a starter and has transitioned well into the full-time role. In 106 starts he owns a career 30-45 record with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.420 WHIP in 659.2 innings pitched.
More important than his numbers in Cleveland is the fact that Masterson would be reunited with John Farrell, who was his pitching coach in Boston.
In his career pitching at Fenway Park, Masterson owns a 10-3 record in 39 games with 11 starts. He owns a 3.90 ERA with a 1.258 WHIP in 99.1 innings pitched and a nice 7.8 K/9 ratio.
Against American League East Opponents he is 13-14 with a 4.51 ERA in 47 career games, 27 starts and 190 innings pitched with posting a 1.434 WHIP and a 6.9 K/9 ratio.
However, looking at the aforementioned figures, the Tampa Bay Rays are the only team in the AL that has had his number. He is just 1-7 against the Rays with a 7.74 ERA and a 1.968 WHIP in 13 games and nine starts.
If we were to look at just his figures against the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, Masterson is 12-7 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.255 WHIP.
Masterson is under team control until the 2015 season. Adding another proven, quality arm to the rotation at a low cost is exactly the type of move the Red Sox need to do right now.
