He has close famil in Boston and would have stayed here.
He lives in Charlotte, so while he may be from Ohio, I don't believe there is any significant family advantage to being there so the Sox must have not wanted him at that price. It's disappointing but his whole career has been like this. He was drafted late, spent four years in college and wasn't a prospect, was a 'throw-in' in the Cabrera trade, would win Minor League pitcher of the year for an organization and the expert commentary was all about his limited AAAA ceiling. Meanwhile he kept getting guys out.