The Boston Red Sox have traded starting pitcher Clay Buchholz to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball first reported the news, and it was quickly confirmed by multiple reporters. The Red Sox will receive minor league infield prospect Josh Tobias in return. Boston did not have to send cash, as the Phillies will absorb the remaining one year and $13.5 million left on Buchholz’s contract.
With the Red Sox having traded for Chris Sale earlier in the offseason, there was no room left in the starting rotation for a pitcher who has always been incredibly talented but underachieves on an annual basis. Buchholz finished the 2016 season with an 8-10 record and 4.78 ERA. He has always had issues remaining healthy, and he was eventually moved to the bullpen last season when he lost his spot in the rotation.
Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter in 2007, was always a source of great frustration for Red Sox fans. You could clearly see he had the stuff needed to be one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he never seemed to be able to get over the mental hump. Most Boston fans won’t be sad to see him go.
