Starting pitching has been a priority for the Red Sox this winter, and the club has addressed that need through trades. Garrett Crochet and signing both Walker Buehler again Patrick Sandoval. Several other starters have been on Boston’s radar throughout the offseason, including some discussions with the Pirates about the right-hander. Jared Jones during the Winter Meetings, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
The depth of the negotiations is not known, or whether Boston’s interest was perhaps nothing more than going in hard just to keep the Crochet trade from coming together. In an example of how teams often pursue multiple avenues during the offseason, Speier notes that the Red Sox have also shown interest in the Mariners’. Luis Castillo as a trade target along with Jones and Crochet, and talking to free agents like Buehler, Nathan Eovaldiagain Nick Pivetta.
Despite their additions to the rotation so far, it can be assumed that the Red Sox will still be interested in acquiring Jones, just because every team would like to have a controllable machine, the 23-year-old coming off an exciting rookie season. Reports earlier this month indicated that Pittsburgh was (surprisingly) open to the idea of at least hearing Jones’ offer, although that was before the Pirates dealt with their depth through turnover. Luis Ortiz to the guards because Spencer Horwitz.
Going into the winter, it was thought that the Pirates would do wonders considering that this team wants to compete with the existing rivals. Even with Ortiz now in Cleveland, the Buccos still have a projected rotation for Jones, Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Bailey Falteragain Johan Oviedoand several highly touted young prospects knocking on the door for their MLB debut.
Whether or not the Pirates will agree to move forward with pitching plans remains to be seen, and in Jones’ case, it will take a big offer for Pittsburgh to even consider moving the right-hander. As far as the Red Sox are concerned, the Pirates will have a reason to ask anywhere Jarren Duran, Residences in Triston Casasor at least one of Boston’s “big three” prospects (Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell) in return for Jones.
Casas’ name has already been floated in discussions with the Mariners regarding Seattle’s new starting lineup, while Anthony, Mayer, and Campbell are all thought to be unaffected in trade talks. Speier writes that none of the three minor leaguers were ever assigned to the White Sox for Crochet, and “The White Sox understand that the Red Sox will not discuss” those players. However, it should be noted that the Big Three was originally the Big Four, but Kyle Teel ended up being the prospect sent to Chicago as the head of the Crochet trade package.
An exchange of talented young players between the Pirates and Red Sox shouldn’t be ruled out entirely, given how the deal would address the two clubs’ needs. That said, even if Skenes could be the only Pirates completely untouched in trade talks, it can be assumed that Pittsburgh will explore moving any of their other arms before looking to deal Jones. If the Pirates were considering a trade up, moving Keller and the $69.5MM remaining on his contract over the next four seasons would appear to be the preferred choice for the budget-conscious Bucs.
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