Red Sox pick up option on pitcher Buchholz

BOSTON -- All things, even the Chicago Cubs' century-long title drought, must end. But sometimes it feels as though Clay Buchholz will pitch for the Boston Red Sox forever.

Buchholz will have his $13.5 million team option for 2017 picked up, the Red Sox announced Thursday, five days before the deadline to make a decision on their longest-tenured pitcher. Although the move doesn't preclude the Sox from trading Buchholz, the expedience with which it was made underscores the veteran right-hander's renewed value to the organization.

Four months ago, Buchholz had a 5.91 ERA and no role on the pitching staff. But the Red Sox resisted the temptation to trade or release him, and after knuckleballer…