New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitching Tom Signore believes righthander Zach Stewart would best suit the Red Sox as a starting pitcher.

“Zach has three pitches that are viable and I just feel it would be his best role with the Red Sox,” said Signore, who was Stewart's pitching coach in 2010 when he played for New Hampshire. Stewart and Brent Lillibridge on Sunday were sent to the Red Sox in a trade for Kevin Youkilis.

Signore, who also worked with Stewart in 2011 during spring training, said the change of scenery will be good for Stewart.

“It just didn't seem as if he was progressing with the White Sox,” said Signore. “He was mostly a reliever and as a reliever, you never really get to use your third pitch. Boston does a thorough job analyzing players and I know they have a plan for him. He won't be in Pawtucket too long because they'll need him in Boston as a reliever or starter.”

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Stewart would report to Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, R.I., where the former Fisher will join the starting rotation.

Signore is a big fan of Boston manager Bobby Valentine and said Stewart will be in good hands.

“I'm a Connecticut kid who grew up watching Valentine,” said Signore. “I'd love to be at Fenway Park and just sit back and watch Bobby work with Zach. Once Zach gets to Boston, Bobby will put him at ease. Contrary to what people believe or think, Bobby is very good at handling players.”

Stewart spent all of 2010 and more than half of 2011 with the Fisher Cats, going a combined 13-8 with a 3.86 ERA in 42 games, all of them starts. He was the starter for the East team in the 2011 Eastern League All-Star Game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester on July 13, exactly two weeks before he was traded with Blue Jays reliever Jason Frasor to the White Sox for pitcher Edwin Jackson and utility player Mark Teahan.

The Fisher Cats were one of four teams for whom Stewart pitched last season. After going 8-3 with a 3.63 ERA for New Hampshire in 2010, he went 5-5, 4.20 for the Fishers in 2011. He also made three appearances for Toronto, going 0-1. After the trade, he made 10 appearances each for the White Sox' Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, N.C., and Chicago. His record with the White Sox was less than impressive: 2-5 with a 6.22 ERA.

Stewart has spent all of this season with the White Sox, mostly as a reliever, going 1-2. with a 6.00 ERA. His only start came in his last outing, last Monday, when he took the loss in a 12-3 thrashing by the Cubs, allowing six runs, all earned, over 5 2/3 innings.