Much has been made this offseason of the Boston Red Sox pursuing an elite starting pitcher, which many consider to be the final piece that the team needs to contend in 2015. The team has done a lot to upgrade its lineup and fill out their rotation with quality starters, but they have not yet found someone to headline their pitching staff.
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General manager Ben Cherington has said that he is satisfied with the team's current rotation and that they are not actively attempting to add another starter. According to ESPN, he may not need to add an elite starter in order to contend.
The 2005 Red Sox had watched Pedro Martinez walk away in free agency, and Curt Schilling spent nearly the entire year on the disabled list. The team had no definitive ace, and yet they managed to win 95 games thanks to a competent pitching staff and an offense that averaged more than five and a half runs per game.
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The 2015 Red Sox may look to follow a similar path to success. They added two dynamic hitters in the offseason, and if Dustin Pedroia returns to full strength, it is easy to imagine this Boston team featuring one of the most dangerous lineups in the majors. The pitching staff is looking forward to the challenge.
"It's exciting," said Rick Porcello, "when you look at the opportunity we're all being given. I'm not looking for just one of us to step up, I'm looking for all of us to step up and do something special. I'm thrilled. For me, coming over to this staff and now having a fresh start, it's something new and a challenge we should all take head on. I'm just looking forward to it. You can't ask for a better opportunity than this.''
"I think that word's a little overrated," said Wade Miley about the value of having an ace. "I think we just need to go out, whoever's turn it is to pitch.''
And Joe Kelly, who just came over from St. Louis, had this to say on the matter: "I don't know about the No. 1 thing. We had Michael Wacha [in St. Louis]. A rookie, he was our NLCS MVP [in 2013]. No idea what this guy has -- media, players, teams - and you wouldn't be like, 'Hey, this rookie's a No. 1.' But he dominated better than everyone else who's a No. 1 for a solid month."
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