But after 122 days of negotiations, the Red Sox and Cubs settled the compensation issue surrounding Theo Epstein's exit.
The Red Sox received Chris Carpenter — no, not the former Cy Young Award winner in St. Louis — but a 26-year-old reliever that made his major-league debut in 2011, and posted a 2.79 ERA in 10 appearances for the Cubs.
Nonetheless, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington noticed promise in the right-hander.
"He's a 26-year-old power arm, right-handed pitcher who we scouted since his amateur days at Kent State," Cherington said. "[We] saw a lot last year including in the fall league. One of our major league scouts in Arizona, Steve Peck saw him. We felt like he was making some good adjustments there."
Carpenter isn't an impact addition by any means. After 32 appearances between Chicago's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates last season, he went 3-4 with two saves and a 5.91 ERA.
But his subtle success against left-handed hitters during his 10-game stint with Chicago could be beneficial if he continues his development. In 2011, Carpenter limited lefties to a .143 average.
"We're really happy to have him," Cherington said. "He's a young power arm reliever we think has a chance to be a really good big league pitcher."
A third-round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Carpenter is known for being a flamethrower. Scouting reports say his command issues and injury history have raised questions about him.
When healthy, Carpenter can be effective. During the 2009 minor league season, he recorded a 2.82 ERA, which was the lowest mark in the Cubs' minor league system that season.
If Carpenter can replicate that success, he could be an option for the Red Sox down the road.
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