Could the Red Sox actually end up trading one of their best pitchers this offseason?

The Boston Red Sox have some work to do this offseason as the club looks to drastically improve the starting rotation.

Boston has been linked to seemingly every pitcher that might be available. Whether a pitcher is a free agent or a possible trade candidate, Boston has been mentioned in some way shape, or form as a fit.

The reason for this is Boston isn’t too far away from being a playoff team, but the starting rotation held the club back last year. It isn’t clear which direction the team will go or who they will land, but it’s clear the rotation will look different.

While it’s unclear who Boston will land, the Red Sox seem to be exploring all of their options. Boston even has considered some of its relief pitchers in exchange for starting pitching help including star closer Kenley Jansen, according to Beyond the Monster’s Chris Henrique and SoxProspects.com’s Ed Hand.

“The Red Sox have been exploring trade talks on members of their bullpen to bring back additional controllable pitching, similar to the Alex Verdugo trade package,” Henrique said. “Kenley Jansen’s name has come up in talks, as Ed Hand mentioned. Other members of the bullpen as well, per sources.”

The 36-year-old signed with Boston as a free agent last offseason and impressed en route to his fourth All-Star nod. Jansen logged a 3.63 ERA and 29 saves while shoring up the back of the Boston bullpen.

It would be very surprising to see the Red Sox trade Jansen this offseason but at this point, anything could happen.