Red Sox Reportedly 'Long Shot' To Land Frontline Starter Despite Speculation

It sounds like the Red Sox won't land one of their top choices in free agency after all

What will the Boston Red Sox do to fix the rotation this offseason?

Boston took a positive step forward by landing Lucas Giolito but still has multiple holes to fill after trading seven-time All-Star Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves. The Red Sox has been in a plethora of rumors, but it's unclear how serious the club is about adding.

It sounds like the Red Sox are trying to cut salaries rather than land a major player. Although this is the case, Boston still has been linked to the top starters available in free agency, including Shōta Imanaga.

Boston reportedly is one of the finalists to land Imanaga, but now is a "long shot" to land the lefty, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.

"The Red Sox face a deadline — and clarity — on another one of their rumored free agent targets later this week," Cotillo said. "And barring a last-minute surprise, Boston’s pursuit is expected to fall short.

"Boston is considered a “long shot” to sign Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga before his deadline to sign with a major league club Thursday (Jan. 11), according to a source with knowledge of discussions between the sides. It’s unclear exactly how aggressive the Red Sox have been with Imanaga, who is considered one of the top three free-agent starters left on the market and must pick a new team by 5 p.m. ET on Thursday. But unless something changes in the coming days, the southpaw is expected to sign elsewhere.

Imanaga is more in Boston's price range than someone like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, but with each passing day, a signing seems more unlikely. 

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