With the Boston Red Sox making improvements to their starting rotation, the team has dealt veteran Clay Buchholz to the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reported the trade. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Red Sox acquired minor league second baseman Josh Tobias in the deal.

The Phillies weren't the only team interested in Buchholz. On Dec. 8, Bleacher Reports' Scott Miller, citing sources, reported the Miami Marlins were also looking into a potential deal for the pitcher.

The Red Sox acquired ace Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox on Dec. 6, which means they now have something of a surplus of starting pitchers.

With a potential rotation of Sale, David Price, reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello, Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz, Buchholz looks to be the odd man out.

His 2016 numbers aren't overly impressive on the surface, as he went just 8-10 with a 4.78 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 139.1 innings.

Most of the 32-year-old's struggles came early in the season, though, as he posted a 6.35 ERA over his first 10 starts. He straightened things out in the bullpen and closed the season strong after being put back in the rotation to the tune of a 2.98 ERA over his final eight outings.

Buchholz has had an up-and-down career, but a recent history of success suggests he can bounce back from some of the issues that plagued him last season.

He is a two-time All-Star, including a trip to the Midsummer Classic in 2013, when he finished 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA. He hasn't reached those levels since, but he was solid just two seasons ago with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts.

There is some risk involved with trading for Buchholz since he will earn $13.5 million in 2017 and may only be a rental since there is one year left on his contract, per Spotrac.

Buchholz cannot be trusted as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher anymore, but he is worth a roll of the dice Philadelphia.