Sox still back Buchholz

Young Sox righty a hot topic at winter meetings

Clay Buchholz hit Boston’s biggest pothole last season.

After many tapped him as a can’t-miss prospect, the 24-year-old went 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA, and dashed the dreams of Sox fans who envisioned Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury fighting for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Things clearly didn’t work out, as Buchholz lost confidence in himself and his stuff, and was bumped back down to the minor leagues during the stretch run.

“Clay is a kid that everybody was talking about going into [last] year … then he got called up with us, and then he ran into really tough times,” said Sox manager Terry Francona. “And because we were trying to stay in the race, we finally felt like it was best for him to go back to the minor leagues.

“I think we are all hoping that he rebounds from that and learns from it and ends up being the guy that we think he can be, because his stuff is awfully sharp.”

The struggles haven’t stopped other teams from asking about the young hurler in trade talks, however, and the Texas Rangers yesterday voiced a desire to bring the young pitcher back to the Lone Star State.

This is why Sox GM Theo Epstein deemed the asking price for young catchers to be “sky-high” as the winter meetings unfold in Vegas. Teams have asked the Sox for Buchholz above Boston’s other attractive young assets, but the Sox remain unblinking in their staunch refusal to trade the young hurler with the still-golden right arm.

“We still value him immensely, and he’s a tremendously talented pitcher,” said Sox pitching coach John Farrell, who noted Buchholz will start a throwing program shortly after Christmas. “He showed that again in the Fall League, and I think 2008 will end up being a huge learning experience for him.

“To go back to the minor leagues and to be asked to work on his fastball command is all part of his development, and he’s still going to have some hurdles and challenges to overcome when he gets back to the [Majors].”