The Red Sox and Daniel Bard have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract, the team announced. Earlier this week the SFX client filed for $1.825MM while the team countered with $1.4MM, and MLB.com's Ian Browne says (on Twitter) that they settled at the midpoint: $1.6125MM. Our system projected a $1.6MM salary for the right-hander.
Bard, 26, was arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason. As a Super Two, he'll go through the process four times rather than the usual three. He's pitched to a 2.88 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 197 career innings, all of which were spent setting up the now departed Jonathan Papelbon. Bard will come to Spring Training with a chance to win a job as a starting pitcher this year.
As our Arbitration Tracker shows, the Red Sox have three unsigned arbitration-eligible players remaining: Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, and David Ortiz.
good deal. to me 1.6 mil doesnt seem like that much for a setup/starter/closer type guy. obviously 1.6 million dollars is a lot of money but relatively speaking…
Anyone else feel like this move to the rotation is going to derail the careers of Bard, as well as Neftali Feliz’s?
Starters can generally become good relievers, heck, most relievers WERE starters in the minors at some point. But rare is the late-inning guy who can convert himself to a starter effectively, without loss of limb, or metaphorically speaking, spending tons of time on the DL. And I do not mean on the “down low”.
It’s a worry, sure, but it’s doable. The trick is not over-working in their first year as a starter. Bard has plenty of pitches, so he may use his fastball less as a starter, as well as take a mile or two off of it, both of which will lessen the impact on his arm. He’s consistently hit about 75 IP the last few years, so while starting will definitely be a jump up, it’s not completely terrible. Besides, my gut feeling is that he may start the first half, but unless he is TEARING it up, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him back in the bullpen for the second half to keep his innings from getting too high. Aceves can come in second half, and/or they can make a trade at the deadline. So yes, they need to be careful, but I’m currently cautiously optimistic.
Yeah there is some risk for sure, but the with this guys stuff the reward would certainly be great. If Texas can do it with Harrison, Wilson, and Ogando I think we got a solid shot with Bard. Cross the fingers type of thing I guess. I can def see his fastball, slider, change playing well though and seeing as he is going into the season ready and getting fully stretched out I remain optimistic.
You mean like Joba? Yes.
The only mildly successful conversion I can think of is Derek Lowe, other then that, there are only sad tales of guys who were either ineffective, or became chronic injury cases. I think Bard has the tools to do it, in that he has at least three solid pitches he can get over for strikes. But, even young starters who start hot usually have that “down year” after their first year with a significant increase in IP. I guess it could be great if it works, but the deck is clearly stacked against it working flawlessly.
Let’s not forget CJ Wilson.
You mean like Joba? Yes.
The lineup is top 3, the bullpen is top 5 if Bard and Aceves stay, so the only question is the rotation, but I think at least 5 of the following can be decent: Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, Oswalt, Doubront, Tazawa, Padilla, Silva, Wilson, and Cook.
I agree. Worst case scenario we got four above average pitchers if we get Oswalt. Which is more than most teams can say. Best case we got five. All we need is health and we are gonna be fine.
oh man what a steal
/brett gardner thread
A slightly different take on the Bard signing. Excellent arb compromise.
My question with the pen pretty well stocked and accumulating arms the way they have for the rotation would Bard be an established enough guy to get them a #3rotation guy or also in trade for an established RH bat like Hart from the Brewers?
or in trade with the Phillies–Bard and Beckett for Cole Hamels?
Maybe it’s Bard and Ells for Hamels–with Bard setting up for Pap?
I like Bard but he’s a tweener–we have Aceves as the set-up guy and we are getting some pretty good chips to start–I’m asking could we improve the team with Bard being moved?
None of this makes any sense… Why would you trade pieces from your rotation when what you need to do is make the rotation better (and not just any piece, but one of your best pieces in Beckett)? And why would you trade one of the best CF in the game, with multiple years of control left, for one year of a starting pitcher and still add in a very good pitcher?
In my estimation I think the Sox are stronger with a guy like Hamels in our rotation than Beckett.
I love Bard, it’s going to take him too long to get rotation ready. Aceves is more valuable in the set up role he’s in.
If Ells goes in the Philly deal the Sox need to get Victorino or Dominic Brown in return.
You don’t trade 3 years of (arguably) your best pitcher, for one year of another pitcher who is maybe a little bit better. And if for some strange reason you decide to make that trade you definitely don’t throw in another very good pitcher who also has several years of control.