The Red Sox are “at least considering making a serious push” for Johnny Cueto this offseason, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald writes. As Mastrodonato notes, that isn’t necessarily especially meaningful at this point in the offseason, since the Red Sox are surely as least considering making a run at any number of pitchers. If the Red Sox do give serious consideration to Cueto, Mastrodonato writes, his poor postseason performances in 2013 and this season are part of a mystery they’ll have to solve before they sign him. Here are a couple more quick notes out of Boston.
- The Mariners have interviewed Jason Varitek for their open managerial job, but if he doesn’t receive it, he will stay in the Red Sox organization, Scott Lauber of the Herald tweets. Varitek currently serves as special assistant to the GM in Boston.
- A hand injury suffered in instructional league play might keep top prospect Yoan Moncada from playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com writes. Moncada was hit by a pitch early this month, and the Sox want to be cautious with Moncada. The league is set to begin October 30 and continue through early January. The highly-touted Moncada hit .278/.380/.438 in 363 plate appearances with Class A Greenville in his introduction to American pro ball in 2015.
Cuetos post season performance isnt the only issue. How about his entire campaign with the royals? He was just horrendous. Cueto should be option 4-5 for the club.
His campaign with the Royals has not been great, no denying it… but are we really going to throw out the 1339 IP he had with the Reds to focus on the 81 he threw in a Royals jersey?
Cueto is a great pitcher. Who knows what led to his struggles in Kansas City, but you can’t cite that as a reason to not at least pursue Cueto.
NL vs AL.
That might explain a decrease in strikeouts but there is more to it I think. Getting on the same page with a new catcher might be part of it as well adjusting to to the AL. But Cueto has always had a funky delivery and relied on that for effectiveness. Being that he’s had it working for him more often than not we’ve gotten used to him being more consistent. This might be just just a rough patch.
He’s interesting….he’s pitched pretty well vs AL teams. He’s been horrible vs the O’s, Red Sox & White Sox. But done well against most of the others. He’s 14-6 career wise in inter-league play. Someone will give him big bucks but for how long?
NL vs. AL
Actually his first 4 starts with the Royals were great. 30IP 6 ER (1.8 ERA)
He had a string of 5 terrible starts afterwards, but I every pither goes through that here and there. I would classifly it as more of a blip than anything else.
I also think it’s worth noting that Cueto had a .345 BABIP against as a Royal. That is likley unsustainable and I would think his BABIP numbers would go back to his norms.
I have soured on Cueto a fair bit after his recent struggles with the Royals. It makes me question how good of a fit he would be in the AL East. Combine that with injury history (and a recent arm injury) and I don’t think I would offer him anything more than 6/140MM. I think Price, Grienke, and possibly Zimmermann would be safer bets at a higher price.
I think Price would be an awesome fit for the Bosox. Good club house mentality and an already proven leader in the AL East. I think he is with every penny of that huge contract he will sign.
Every team should be lining up for Price. As a jays fan, what a guy.
I think so too. The only problem is that a bunch of other teams are going to be in on him too. The Red Sox are going to have to be the highest bidder to get Price I think based on his history with Papi, etc. I don’t know if the Red Sox are willing to dish out 7/230MM for him.
He needs to go back to national league al is has to good of offense
I would take Cueto over Price. Price has shown an inability to win in the post-season. Sox need to go all in on Grienke.
How would you rank Cueto, Greinke, Price and Zimmerman in contract value right now?
Cueto was a close second before he got traded. I think he will be FOURTH now.
Cueto is behind Price, and on the same level as Greinke for me. Greinke is at a disadvantage because of years, I think Greinke can see 5/150 and Cueto could get that over 6-7 years
My guess would be Price gets something in the 6-7 years and 200 million range. Cueto gets 6-7 years in the 150-170 million range. Greinke 145-155 for 5 years and Zimmerman 130-150 for 6-7 years.
Zimmermann doesn’t miss bats, pitches in the NLE, has had TJS, and really is more of a #2 than a #1. I highly doubt he gets 150m. I would think he’s more in the 90-115 range. Especially when you factor in all the competition he has in FA.
1, Price 7/210mil
2. Greinke 6/150mil
3. Cueto 6/130mil (thats what Cameron predicted in one of his recent chats)
4. Zimmermann 5/110mil