MLB teams
Scott Lauber, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Red Sox pick up option on right-hander Clay Buchholz

MLB, Boston Red Sox

BOSTON -- All things, even the Chicago Cubs' centurylong title drought, must end. But sometimes it feels as though Clay Buchholz will pitch for the Boston Red Sox forever.

Buchholz will have his $13.5 million team option for 2017 picked up, the Red Sox announced Thursday, five days before the deadline to make a decision on their longest-tenured pitcher. Although the move doesn't preclude the Sox from trading Buchholz, the expedience with which it was made underscores the veteran right-hander's renewed value to the organization.

Four months ago, Buchholz had a 5.91 ERA and no role on the pitching staff. But the Red Sox resisted the temptation to trade or release him, and after knuckleballer Steven Wright injured his right shoulder in early August, Buchholz stepped back in, went 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA in his final eight regular-season starts and even started an elimination game in the division series against the Cleveland Indians.

"We always felt he was a good pitcher," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said late in the season. "He didn't get a real good start to the year, but I've seen guys have tough times but you still know they have ability. We always thought that at some point the depth you have on the pitching staff was going to be important."

In a nutshell, that explains why it was a relative no-brainer for the Red Sox to pick up Buchholz's option.

Even without Buchholz, the Sox have five proven major league starters: David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz and Wright. Beyond that, though, the ranks become thin, with lefties Henry Owens, Brian Johnson and Roenis Elias representing the best depth options at Triple-A.

But retaining the rights to Buchholz also could allow the Red Sox to fill another need by trading one of their veteran starters. Last year, they picked up Buchholz's option for $13 million, then dealt lefty Wade Miley to the Seattle Mariners in December for reliever Carson Smith and Elias.

Buchholz, 32, has a 3.96 ERA and 109 ERA-plus in a 10-year big league career that has featured more ups and downs than an elevator, especially since he signed a four-year, $29.945 million contract extension with two team options in 2011. But in a free-agent market that lacks appealing starting pitching options, he likely would have gotten more than a one-year, $13.5 million deal. This year, 27 pitchers made at least $13.5 million, including C.J. Wilson (3.74 career ERA, 110 ERA-plus), Brett Anderson (3.86, 105), Scott Kazmir (4.01, 104), Francisco Liriano (4.05, 100) and John Danks (4.38, 98).

"When I signed that deal, I knew what it was going to be like," Buchholz said in September. "It's not like I'm going to not go to spring training or hold out or anything. I feel like one [more] year is just another year. If I'm healthy next year, I'm going to be healthy the year after that. I'm here until they tell me I'm not."

The Red Sox made a few other moves Thursday, declining their $3.75 million option on backup catcher Ryan Hanigan, who will instead receive an $800,000 buyout. Also, as a formality, the Sox exercised a $16 million option on David Ortiz, although they still fully expect the iconic slugger to retire.

In procedural moves, third baseman Pablo Sandoval, catcher/left fielder Blake Swihart and relievers Carson Smith and Brandon Workman were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Utility infielder Josh Rutledge was removed from the 60-day DL and outrighted to Triple-A.

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