Off-Day Rumor Ruminations

Ahhh, Opening Day. What a wonderful American pasttime.


Too bad it's not a Red Sox opening day today. In fact, even missing the first slate of day games, Boston will be a game ahead when it finishes the third of four transcontinental matchups with Oakland tomorrow night.

So, instead we're left to postulate about rampant rumor speculation, though these rumors do make significant sense, if the right set of circumstances developed.

Naturally, we're talking about the flier thrown out there by Boston Herald writer Tony Massaroti, who indicated the Sox might be likely suitors for Oakland starters Joe Blanton or Rich Harden if they find they're a reliable middle of the rotation starter away from a legitimate title run.

Of course, all of those predictions are predicated on two things: 1) The performance of Clay Buchholz/Bartolo Colon in the fifth starter's role and 2) the health of the team's other starters. If either one of those determining factors are trending downward, Theo Epstein would certainly be on the prowl for another starter. And as Massaroti adroitly points out, both Haren and Blanton are young enough to keep the Sox from balking at including a young pitching prospect in a package built around one of the team's AAAA outfielders. Say, ever improving Brandon Moss.

From Epstein's past dealings, and his well-known desire to stockpile power arms, Harden would seem like a better fit than Blanton. Unfortunately for his suitors, however, the guy is just never healthy. Look at his past two seasons:

2006: 4-0 in 9 starts, 4.43 ERA
2007: 1-2 in 7 starts, 4.20 ERA

While those ERAs may be fairly standard, particularly coming off injuries. His contract is also remarkably palatable, with a top-dollar mark of $2,250,000 last year (though that makes those seven starts mighty pricey, doesn't it?). There have been whispers that Epstein has coveted Harden in the past - not as much as Jake Peavy and a couple other heat tossers, but still to a significant level - and it wouldn't seem a shock to hear him making another run at him.

At this point, there's little doubt that Oakland GM Billy Beane would be happy to offload Harden if he could glean a couple top prospects from a suitor. And who would those prospects be? One would have to assume Brandon Moss would be one, and while the pitching prospect might vary, it clearly wouldn't be either Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz. If Epstein isn't dropping them for Johan Santana, he's sure as hell not dropping them for Harden.

Masterson, who's upside seems to grow exponentially every day? That's another question. It might be a stretch, but depending on where the Sox sit heading toward the trade deadline, it's a pill Epstein might be willing to swallow.

Regardless, it certainly adds a measure of intrigue into the games tomorrow night and Wednesday, whether any trade talk between the teams does materialize or not.

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