Jon Heyman reports that the Boston Red Sox have traded starter Clay Buchhlolz to the Philadelphia Phillies. Minor league second baseman Josh Tobias will head to Boston.
Buchholz had a forgettable 2016, posting an ugly 4.78 ERA in 139.1 as a swingman. He rebounded in the second half, however, so it’s not crazy to think that the 32-year-old former ace can rebound for a full year in 2017. Buchholz will make $13.5 million after Boston picked up his option this past season. That’s a lot of money for a back-end starter, but he’ll be counted on to carry more of the load in Philly than he did in Boston.
Tobias is 24 and was a 1oth round pick out of the University of Florida in 2015. He has yet to play above A-ball. In two minor league seasons he has gotten on base at a decent clip but doesn’t seem to have any power. Then again, it’s not like the Phillies were going to give up a lot to assume a pitcher with a lot of question marks surrounding him who is making $13.5 million a year.