The Boston Red Sox have been active this offseason, aggressively pursuing personnel moves in order to get back into contention in 2015. They have also been the target of frequent rumors surrounding several different elite starting pitchers.
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The Red Sox look to have a potent lineup heading into this season, replete with both proven hitters and promising young players. The team also shored up the back end of its starting rotation, which was a real problem last season. They still feature some dominant arms in the bullpen, but there is one obvious piece missing: the team has no clear ace starting pitcher.
At various points in the offseason, Boston was rumored to be involved in bidding on James Shields, trading for Cole Hamels, and trading for Jordan Zimmermann. There has even been some speculation that the team may go after Cliff Lee or Stephen Strasburg.
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The team may still elect to do something, but according to Bleacher Report, general manager Ben Cherington was happy with his rotation a few weeks ago. "You never close your eyes to opportunities, but we're not actively engaged in anything right now," said Cherington. "We'd feel very good if we opened the season with the guys we have."
He very well may feel good about it, but given how much work the Red Sox have done to make themselves into contenders this year, it does not make much sense to stop short of signing what could be the final piece of the puzzle, especially for a guy like Shields, whom the Red Sox could acquire without giving up any of their prized prospects.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe agrees: "For me it makes no sense to do all they've done - and they've done a lot with formidable lineup additions like Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez; three new pitchers in Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, and Justin Masterson, who are all good interior pieces - and not go after the ace."
Shields is still waiting for a new team, and his asking price has reportedly dropped. The Red Sox are one of the richest teams in baseball, and paying the luxury tax seems like a small price for a chance at another title.
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