Phillies Rumors: Team Acquires Clay Buchholz From Red Sox

The Phillies made a surprising move Tuesday, acquiring starter Clay Buchholz from the Boston Red Sox for low-ball second basemen Josh Tobias.

The Phillies announced on Tuesday that they’ve acquired two-time all-star Clay Buchholz from the Red sox in exchange for minor leaguer Josh Tobias. Recently claimed INF Richie Shaffer was removed (DFA) from the 40-man roster for a spot to be created.

What the Phillies are getting

Buchholz, 32, will make $13.5 million in 2017 (only one-year left on deal) and is maybe most known for never being healthy and good at the same time. However for this team, it’s still a quality arm for the Phils to pickup.

The 6’3″, 190 pound right-hander is a former first round pick (42nd overall in 2005), and has a career 81-61 record with a 3.96 ERA in 188 career starts with Boston. 2010 was Buchholz’s best season, posting a 2.33 ERA (league best 187 ERA+) , while going 17-7 in 28 starts (173 innings) and finishing sixth in Cy Young voting.

However, since 2010, he’s averaged just 21 starts and 134 innings per season, while posting a 4.02 ERA and 1.278 WHIP.

What the Phillies gave up

Tobias, 24, is a high-A second basemen, with a career .301/.362/.439 (.801 OPS) slash line for multiple A-ball teams. The switch hitter is a former 10th round pick (2015), but his upside is extremely limited outside of hitting for average. Considering the Phils growing depth at second base, Tobias is a fair return without much risk of hurting the Phils in the future.

Buchholz’s 2016

The oft-injured Buchholz was in and out of Boston’s rotation in 2016, but did find his groove down the stretch. Over his last eight starts, Buchholz posted a 2.99 ERA while averaging 5.2 innings a start. He was also a serviceable reliever for Boston last season when in the role (16 games, 22.1 innings), posting a 3.57 ERA with a .198 batting average against and 1.103 WHIP.

This was also beneficial in keeping Buchholz healthy throughout the season, as he pitched in at least five games every month for Boston in 2016 (starting or relieving). In the second half of last season he appeared in 19 total games (eight starts as mentioned), and went 5-1 in 58.1 innings of work with a 3.22 ERA and 1.108 WHIP.

Buchholz role with Phillies

I’d expect Buchholz to be used in a similar fashion with the Phils, a sixth starter of sorts. They’d be saving the breakdown potential of not only Buchholz, but their own starters with injuries scares (Velasquez, Nola, Eflin) as well, not to mention getting a reliable reliever when he’s not starting and potentially increasing trade value.

Next: Phillies Need To Be Patient

If it’s a way for Clay Buchholz to find value in his himself, than so be it. Having that type of versatility is only a plus for the growing Phils, who still had room for another pitcher to begin with, while creating some really intriguing options going forward.