The Boston Red Sox were able to free up over $7 million in cap space after dealing Marco Scuatro to the Colorado Rockies late last week. The agreed to terms with outfielder Cody Ross yesterday, solving the need for a right handed outfield bat. Now, it appears the Sox have turned their attention to the starting pitching market.
On Wednesday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Red Sox have offered free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt a contract. There is no word as to what the value of the reported offer is, but the team is unsure as to whether or not he'll accept since he hasn't already done it to this point. NESN's Peter Gammons says sources tell him that Oswalt is more interested in pitching for the Rangers or Cardinals. With this in mind, the Red Sox apparently aren't stopping with just Oswalt.
According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Red Sox have also made an offer to free agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson. Wait, what? Yep, the Scott Boras client that was demanding a multi-year contract earlier this offseason. Sources tell Bowden that the Red Sox are now in discussions with Jackson and Boras and actually prefer him over Oswalt. Wow, what turn of events.
Ben Cherington, you are making my head spin.
While I actually prefer Oswalt to Jackson, both would be solid additions and potentially the final puzzle piece in the 2012 Red Sox pitching rotation. Oswalt, 33, is a career 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA in 11 major league seasons. Meanwhile, Jackson, 27, is a career 60-60 with a 4.46 ERA.
While there's no denying Oswalt's track record is superior to that of Jackson's, it may end up being a classic "It's not you, it's me" situation. Since he reportedly wants to stay close to his home in Mississippi, Oswalt may turn down more money offered by the Red Sox and join the Rangers or Cardinals. Jackson, meanwhile will most likely take the best offer on the table with his young age. Either way, we will most likely know more in the upcoming days.
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