Red Sox rumors: Boston dropping out of Matt Garza sweepstakes?

The Boston Red Sox do not view themselves as "desperate enough" to pay the steep price for Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza, sources have told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.

Boston definitely has a need in the starting pitching department at the moment, but the club is reportedly "lukewarm" about making a move there because they're still banking on Clay Buchholz -- who has been out since June 8 with shoulder issues -- returning to the rotation soon. With Buchholz back, the club's rotation issues are significantly less pressing, and more in the form of wanting depth, so making a big play for someone like Garza would not make much sense.

Garza still has plenty of deep-pocketed suitors, even with the Red Sox out of the running. The Rangers, Indians, Pirates, Blue Jays, Padres, Dodgers, and Nationals are all believed to be interested in the right-hander, so Boston stepping out of the sweepstakes should not have much of an effect on his potential return.

For Boston, moving away from starting pitching means that they are likely prioritizing the search for bullpen help and stopgaps on the left side of the infield. So far, the Red Sox have been tied to a handful of relievers around the league, including Matt Thornton, Addison Reed, and Matt Lindstrom of the White Sox.