Red Sox have reportedly asked about Jose Fernandez, Gerrit Cole

The Boston Red Sox are in the market for starting pitching, and they are aiming high.

According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have inquired about Marlins ace Jose Fernandez as well as Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole during the season.

The Red Sox were told that neither was available, and that discussions would probably start with both Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts, a price Boston is unwilling to pay. Most other high-end starting pitchers would command similarly high prices, so it’s probably more likely that Boston looks for a slightly lower tier of pitching.

It may seem a bit surprising that Boston is searching for high-end starting pitching just months after signing an ace for big money. However, Clay Buchholz and Eduardo Rodriguez have struggled, and team president Dave Dombrowski has a fondness for making big deadline splashes with little warning. Rest assured, Boston will keep trying for an ace.

H/T MLB Trade Rumors