Valentine also addressed the Yankees’ acquisitions of pitcher Michael Pineda in a trade with the Mariners and former Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda via free agency.
“Pineda, when I saw him the first half of the season, he looked unhittable, and the second half he looked OK,’’ said Valentine.
“[Kuroda] will be pitching in the American League now and not the National League, pitching in not a great pitcher’s ballpark, coming from a great pitcher’s ballpark. He’ll probably be an upgrade from [Bartolo] Colon and [Freddy] Garcia, probably, seems it.’’
Valentine didn’t think the Sox had to do anything immediately to respond to the Yankees’ moves.
“I think we have a good team,’’ he said. “If we could continue to add to it as the season progresses when we see what the needs are and when we see what the strengths and weaknesses are, I think that will be fine.
“When you have a core like we have, I don’t think there’s any rush to do anything until we at least see the team in spring training.’’
The Sox manager concluded his media session by talking about Jason Varitek, who reportedly has been offered a non-roster invitation to spring training.
“I haven’t talked to Tek because, basically, he’s not on the roster, you know, and I really have no idea,’’ said Valentine.
“I’m just trying to think if I’ve ever had a guy with a ‘C’ on their chest that came into spring training as a non-roster type.’’
