Red Sox Reportedly Showed 'Strong Interest' In Landing Veteran Hurler But Missed Out

Boston reportedly attempted to land one of the top remaining free agents

The Boston Red Sox missed out on yet another free-agent target. 

Boston is in the market for help for the starting rotation but hasn't been able to fully get the job done yet this offseason. The Red Sox landed Lucas Giolito but traded Chris Sale away earlier this offseason.

The Red Sox likely need to bring in two starters still before Spring Training rolls around. Ideally, Boston will land a top-of-the-rotation hurler along with a mid-tier arm as well. 

One player who has popped up as an option on numerous occasions is James Paxton. He spent the last two seasons with Boston and has been seen as a possible reunion candidate. While this was the case, he reportedly agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

Boston may have missed out on a reunion with Paxton, but it did show "strong interest" in a move, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford.

"Per source, while Red Sox did have a strong interest in James Paxton his priority was staying on West Coast closer to his home," Bradford said.

Paxton spent the last two seasons but missed the entire 2022 campaign. He returned to the mound in 2023 and was one of Boston's most consistent hurlers until an injury ended his season early. 

It would've made a lot of sense for the Red Sox to bring Paxton back into the fold but now they need to go back to the drawing board. More work needs to be done to help the rotation and the club is running out of options.

More MLB: Ex-Astros, Blue Jays Hurler Reportedly Available; Red Sox Are Logical Landing Spot