December 20, 2016
Elise Amendola/AP
Clay Buchholz delivers against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning in Game 3 of the 2016 American League Division Series.
The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired veteran righty Clay Buchholz from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league second baseman Josh Tobias, general manager Matt Klentak announced on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old Buchholz went 8-10 with a 4.78 ERA in 37 games (21 starts) last season but finished strong. In his final 16 appearances, eight of which were starts, Buchholz went 5-1 with a 2.80 ERA and a .212 BAA.
“We are excited to welcome Clay Buchholz to Philadelphia,” said Klentak. “Clay had a very productive tenure with the Red Sox, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in a Phillies uniform. He is a welcome addition to our young starting rotation.”
While the two-time All-Star pitcher will be part of the rotation in 2017, it's unlikely that he's part of the longer-term rebuild currently underway in Philly. As it stands, the Phillies have some tinkering to do with a starting staff that now has more pitchers than it does spots in the rotation: Buchholz, Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, and the list goes on.
The Phillies will assume the remainder of Buchholz's contract, which has one year left worth $13.5 million. And because of that, you have to wonder if he's here beyond July 31 or if Klentak and the Phillies are simply using their ample amount of salary space to sign some guys who could fetch a nice return at the trade deadline, especially given his postseason experience.
Here's a look at his career numbers, which include a no-hitter in his second career start back in 2007:
| YR | TM | W-L | ERA | IP | SO-BB | WHIP |
| 2007 | BOS | 3-1 | 1.59 | 22.2 | 22-10 | 1.059 |
| 2008 | BOS | 2-9 | 6.75 | 76.0 | 72-41 | 1.763 |
| 2009 | BOS | 7-4 | 4.21 | 92.0 | 68-36 | 1.380 |
| 2010 | BOS | 17-7 | 2.33 | 173.2 | 120-67 | 1.203 |
| 2011 | BOS | 6-3 | 3.48 | 82.2 | 60-31 | 1.294 |
| 2012 | BOS | 11-8 | 4.56 | 189.1 | 129-64 | 1.326 |
| 2013 | BOS | 12-1 | 1.74 | 108.1 | 96-36 | 1.025 |
| 2014 | BOS | 8-11 | 5.34 | 170.1 | 132-54 | 1.386 |
| 2015 | BOS | 7-7 | 3.26 | 113.1 | 107-23 | 1.209 |
| 2016 | BOS | 8-10 | 4.78 | 139.1 | 93-55 | 1.328 |
| 10 YRS | --- | 81-61 | 3.96 | 1167.2 | 899-417 | 1.303 |
In exchange for Buchholz, the Phillies parted ways with Tobias, 24, a 10th-round pick in the 2015 draft and apparent cat enthusiast.
Josh Tobias, seen here on #Caturday with Bam Bam, traded to Red Sox. https://t.co/mb13W0FVc7 pic.twitter.com/pKj0ZO8sp7
— Lakewood BlueClaws (@BlueClaws) December 20, 2016
Last season he split time between single-A Clearwater and single-A Lakewood and hit a combined .291 with 31 doubles, nine home runs, 69 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 127 games. A switch-hitter, Tobias was named to the South Atlantic League’s midseason and postseason All-Star teams.
The Phillies designated third baseman Richie Shaffer for assignment to make room for Buchholz on the 40-man roster.
They also signed C Bryan Holaday to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
