Boston Red Sox Considering Trade for Oakland A’s Righty Rich Harden?

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Red Sox had scouts in Oakland on Thursday to watch A’s right-hander Rich Harden face the Rays.

Harden went six innings allowing three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out seven batters. He’s now 2-1 on the year with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in five starts.

The righty has constantly battled injuries throughout his Major League career but has always possessed the stuff to be a top of the rotation arm.

Opposing batters are hitting less than .225 against Harden in his 150 career starts, and he’s averaged better than a strikeout per inning over that span.

The 29-year-old is on a one-year deal with the A’s worth only $1.5 million and it wouldn’t require much in a trade if Theo Epstein is willing to roll the dice on his health down the stretch. (more…)

Boston Red Sox “All Over” Erik Bedard

The Red Sox are highly interested in Mariners lefty Erik Bedard, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com:

“Boston’s primary focus could be left-hander Erik Bedard, who has not pitched since June 27 because of a strained left knee but will come off the disabled list Friday night to pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Sox are ‘all over’ Bedard, one source said, and both the Sox and New York Yankees are expected to scout Bedard on Friday night.”

Bedard hasn’t posted an ERA over 3.76 since 2005 but has only made 15 starts in each of the last three seasons due to injury.

Alastair Ingram is the lead Boston Red Sox writer for the RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlastairIngram. For daily Red Sox updates, follow the blog at @FenwayReport and join the fan page on Facebook.

Why the Boston Red Sox Should Trade for Mariners Lefty Erik Bedard

The trade deadline is Sunday, and the Red Sox don’t have many holes.

With that said, the health of Clay Buchholz is a major question mark heading into the final two months of the season, and that should dictate Theo Epstein’s approach to the deadline.

Buchholz has been on the disabled list with a lower back strain for more than a month and is due to see a specialist on his ailing back this weekend.

There’s a fairly good chance that the right-hander will come back fully healthy for the final stretch, but the Sox can’t afford to take that chance with one of their top three starters.

Epstein needs to make a deal for Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard as an insurance policy. (more…)

Boston Red Sox Interested in Erik Bedard

SI.com’s Jon Heyman is reporting that the Red Sox are interested in Seattle Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard.

According to Heyman, the Sox and Tigers are among many teams that may inquire about the talented yet injury-prone southpaw.

Bedard is 4-6 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP this year but hasn’t pitched since late June. He’s been on the disabled list with a sprained right knee but will come off the DL on Friday to face the Rays.

Heyman hints that his start against Tampa Bay will be a major showcase, allowing interested teams to see if he is fully recovered from the sprain. (more…)

POLL: Which Player Should Red Sox Target at Trade Deadline?

The July 31st trade deadline is rapidly approaching and rumors are beginning to fly around Major League Baseball.

The Red Sox are shopping for either a right-handed hitting outfielder, starting pitcher, or reliever before the deadline, and Theo Esptein would ideally like to fill numerous holes on his first place club.

Will the Sox target National League All-Stars like Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence? Can they make a strong enough bid to pry right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez away from the Rockies? Is Heath Bell a realistic option for the back end of Boston’s bullpen?

If you were Epstein, who would you target before July 31st? (more…)

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