My # 2 is open. Mainly because you have to take 2nd half performances into consideration and the opponent. I'm not concerned at all about PED mainly because that's beyond my control but he is known as a fitness dude . He runs and runs and runs stairs. The rest of the Sox could learn a thing or 2 from him about keeping the legs strong not by using weights but just running up and down stairs. ALl baseball players need the strong base especially pitchers.
As far as bringing him back I wouldn't put too much stock in it in his age 38 season. Just treat him like any other free agent.
But someone I would seriously look at right now is Martin Perez if the Rangers decide to sell . They signed him on March 11th to a $4M 1 yr . deal and he made the All-Star team and he's 31, left-handed and in his 2 starts against the Astro's he pitched a complete game shutout and 7 innings giving up just 1 run.
He's their much younger Cueto. Sox might have even been looking into him right before they got Vince Velasquez.
March 11 Rangers sign Martin Perez $4M
March 13 Sox sign Vince Velasquez $3M . Based on the dates the Sox could've offered Perez $3M . He turned it down. Sox pivoted and signed V V for the $3M instead.
April 3 Sox announce Lance Lynn will miss 6-8 weeks.
April 5 Sox sign Cueto $4.2M minor league deal (Prorated to $3.32M) after call up.