Valentine won't demand a trade acquisition
With the guarantee of only a two-year contract, nobody in the Boston Red Sox organization may feel more urgency to reach the postseason than manager Bobby Valentine.
But Valentine also doesn't see the need for the team to make a big trade.
A few hours after Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said in a radio interview on WEEI that ownership has "empowered" general manager Ben Cherington to make a "bold" move before the July 31 trade deadline, Valentine downplayed the need for a blockbuster, especially with Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford and Dustin Pedroia recently back from the disabled list and David Ortiz soon to follow.
"I like my team," Valentine said Thursday before the Red Sox rallied for a 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. "I like my pitching. I like our offense, our defense. If Ben feels that there's a way of improving on what we have, I'll be all for that, too. But I don't see any gaping holes on our team."
It isn't any secret that the Red Sox's biggest need is another starting pitcher, and the market figures to bear several options.
The Cubs are shopping Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster, although an ESPN.com report Thursday night indicated the Red Sox have cooled on Dempster. The Brewers could move free-agent-to-be Zack Greinke, who has a good relationship with Red Sox pitching coach Bob McClure. The Phillies will try to deal ace lefty Cole Hamels if they doubt their ability to re-sign him.
In each case, the price figures to be exorbitant. It may be more likely that the Red Sox make a lower-profile move for a back-of-the-rotation starter who still could be a difference-maker in a tight race for the two AL wild-card berths.
"All I can tell you is that Ben works as hard, as much, as diligently as anybody I've ever been around," Valentine said. "If there's something he can do to improve our team, I'm sure he's going to do it. I don't know that there'll be one thing or many things or no things, but I'll guarantee you all avenues will be explored."
