Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox still in need of extra starting pitching options

With the start of spring training now less than two weeks away, the Red Sox have filled most of their roster needs.

The return of Mitch Moreland gives them a lefty first baseman. The signing of Kevin Plawecki gave them a veteran backup catcher. Martin Perez filled a spot in the rotation.

But one area the Red Sox have yet to address is starting pitching depth. Over the course of a long season, teams usually need as many as 10 or more starting pitchers to account for injuries and under-performance. The Sox have a few options still in the organization, including Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez.

But neither was effective in 2019, and Johnson, in fact, is now off the 40-man roster after being designated for assignment earlier in the offseason.

The Sox have plenty of options still available to them on the free-agent market and, at this late date, could probably get most of them on minor league deals with invites to spring training.

A list of potential starters would include: Aaron Sanchez, Clay Buchholz, Jason Vargas, Jeremy Hellickson, Shelby Miller and Edwin Jackson.

Granted, those names aren't about to blow anyone away. After all, there's a reason that these guys are still unsigned in the final week of January. They all have flaws -- health, durability, recent track record.

But they've all had some success at some point in the big leagues and might be worth a low-risk deal. If nothing else, a few could be stockpiled at Pawtucket and represent better depth options than either Johnson or Velazquez.

Elsewhere...

AL EAST

The Yankees added a veteran backup catcher.

A former Rays starter is attempting a comeback.

This will be a big year for Randal Grichuk

AL CENTRAL

There's a familiar outfielder available for the Indians.

The Twins dealt a reliever to the Nationals.

The White Sox could use a bounce-back year from Kelvin Herrera.

Here's a look at the Tigers' top 50 prospects.

A member of the Royals' front office could be a candidate for Houston GM

AL WEST 

An Astros fan did some research.

Joe Maddon is helping out in Orange County.

Some news on the A's search for a new ballpark.

The Mariners could still use free agent help.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pablo Sandoval is back with the Giants.