Needing relief

I really agree that the Sox ought to shop Miley. He's basically an average 4/solid 5, and I have to think either Owens or Johnson can fill that role just as well as he has. Rodriguez has pitched to basically an average 3/4 line, but that's with some disaster starts. He's been kind of all-or-nothing. Based on his stuff and his ability to bounce back from poor outings, not to mention thriving under pressure, he seems a reasonable bet to be at least a 3 next year, with 2 or even better upside. With Buchholz back (presumably) and Porcello dug in by virtue of his contract, that gives them Buch-Rodriguez-Porcello-Owens-Miley. Steven Wright has pitched as well as Miley. Knuckleballers also make the pitchers that follow them better. Move Miley, Marrero, and somebody like Guerra (though I'd try to get away with less) to Cincy for Chapman. Cincy needs a cheap starter with Cueto gone and a patchwork rotation (Raisel Iglesias, already?). Keep Johnson as the sixth starter. I also think they ought to **strongly** consider signing Cueto. If they traded Miley, that's an additional $20M a year to pay, but they get a legitimate ace, at least for a couple of seasons hopefully. I understand the whole "Miley eats innings" argument, but at a mid-4 ERA, and with Owens-Wright-Johnson, it seems like they have those innings covered at similar performance levels, and for big $ savings. A Cueto-Buchholz-Rodriguez-Porcello-Owens rotation actually looks like it might be competitive, and that leaves Wright and Johnson as depth for the inevitable Buchholz injury or if Porcello doesn't bounce back.

Storen might be a nice get, but the Nats probably wouldn't be interested in Miley given their starting depth and Giolito on the way. Of course, you never know with Zimmermann leaving and Strasburg a 2016 FA. Frankie Rodriguez did seen to develop some behavioral issues in NY, but he's experienced and has pitched pretty well lately. Still, if the Sox can't pry Chapman loose with Miley, I'd like to see them try to get some big arms for the 'pen, be they minor leaguers or Wade Davis-type reclamation projects whose stuff plays up in short outings. He's been better lately so maybe Pat Light gets a Sept call-up. Hembree probably deserves another shot as well. Beyond Koji and Taz, the major league 'pen is pretty much useless...and Koji can't pitch forever. It seems to me that the Belisario/Machi reclamation train needs to stop, and the team ought to see what it has in guys like Hembree, Light, Aro, maybe even Jerez or Younginer.