I would agree that he is minimally acceptable as a 5th starter on most teams. However, if the Sox want to win the Division this year, they will have to find a fifth starter who is more competitive and goes deeper into games.

 

Gonzo has given up 19 hits and 10 walks in 15.2 innings. (1.85 WHIP and 5.17 ERA). He has been on the brink of disaster on several occasions which could easily have blown those games wide open and made those stats ugly.

 

The bullpen is a separate issue except to the extent that a starter like Gonzo can't make it through 5 innings which then increases the outs the pen has to cover.

 

They are not trading for a 5th starter they will trade for a middle of the rotation guy who is not a rental who will replace what was Danks spot this year (he was leaving at the end of the season regardless of performance).

The problem with paying for a 3rd starter (right now) under multiple years of control is that we don't have enough chips to trade for one...and still be able to acquire a LH hitter and bullpen help as well.

 

It's more likely we spend money unless we can give away anyone not named Anderson/Fulmer in order to pick up such a "pretty good" pitcher.

 

Let's say Teheran with the Braves. That's going to cost Adams and more.