The Red Sox have announced that they’ve signed ace lefty David Price to a seven-year, $217MM contract. The Bo McKinnis client will sign the largest contract for a pitcher in history when the deal becomes official, narrowly eclipsing Clayton Kershaw’s $215MM contract with the Dodgers. Price’s deal contains an opt-out after the third year. He will receive $30MM in each season from 2016-18, $31MM in 2019 and $32MM per year from 2020-22. As FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweets, Price’s $31MM average annual value ties Miguel Cabrera for the richest AAV in Major League history. Price will not receive a no-trade clause.
Price, who turned 30 in August, is the consensus top free agent on this season’s market and gives the Red Sox the bona fide ace that many feel their rotation needs to function as a serviceable unit. He’s coming off a second-place finish in the American League Cy Young voting (Houston’s Dallas Keuchel took home first-place honors) after tossing 220 1/3 innings of 2.45 ERA ball with 9.2 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and a 40.4 percent ground-ball rate between the Tigers and the Blue jays. That type of production has come to be expected of Price, who has averaged 217 innings and a 2.97 ERA per season dating back to the 2010 season.
The opt-out clause affords Price the chance to again test the open market heading into his age-33 season. It will be a challenge although not impossible, for Price to be able to secure more than the four years and $127MM that remain on his contract at the point at which he can opt out. For comparison, Price’s main competitor in free agency, Zack Greinke, opted out of the remaining three year on his $147MM contract to begin this offseason, but he did so entering his age-32 season (one year younger than Price will be after the 2018 campaign) and with $71MM remaining on his contract.
Price will immediately slot into the top spot in Boston’s rotation and be joined by some combination of Clay Buchholz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Wade Miley, Rick Porcello, Joe Kelly and Henry Owens to round out the remainder of the starting five. His addition gives Boston a surplus of useful starting pitchers from which it could deal to address other needs throughout the roster, possibly in the bullpen or possibly for further starting pitching upgrades.
The move represents the second major transaction pulled off by new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowksi this offseason. The former Tigers GM is more than familiar with Price, having acquired him from the Rays in a trade that cost him Austin Jackson, Drew Smyly and Willy Adames in July of 2014 and having traded him to the Blue Jays in exchange for young left-handers Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt this past July shortly before being dismissed in Detroit. In his first major order of business atop the Red Sox’ baseball operations hierarchy, Dombrowski spent extravagantly in a different manner, surrendering four prospects — Manuel Margot, Javier Guerra, Carlos Asuaje and Logan Allen — to acquire an elite closer from the Padres in the form of Craig Kimbrel.
Such transactions are the types we’ve come to expect from Dombrowski dating back to his Tigers days, but they represent a dramatic philosophical shift for the Red Sox, who previously shied away from long-term commitments of this nature and went to great lengths to build up their farm system under previous general manager Ben Cherington (who resigned after Dombrowski was hired). In order to make moves of this magnitude, Dombrowski likely had to sell ownership on a new direction for the club that aligned more closely with the strategies he employed while guiding the Tigers to a pair of American League pennants and three division titles from 2006-13. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the thus-far bold actions of Dombrowski, Red Sox GM Mike Hazen and the rest of the team’s decision-makers will lead to similar success in Boston.
The Price contract is a significant departure from the reported $144MM that the Tigers felt comfortable offering to Max Scherzer while under Dombrowski’s watch, although the Red Sox have a different long-term financial outlook — namely that they don’t have mega-contracts on the books for Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, as Detroit did. The contract also shows how far ownership’s thinking has come since attempting to retain Jon Lester with a reported four-year, $70MM offer that was ultimately boosted into the $120MM range but never approached the $155MM that Lester received from the Cubs.
With Price and Jordan Zimmermann now off the market, Greinke and Johnny Cueto are the top remaining arms on the market. As the top-tier names begin to come off the board, the second tier of free agent starters — highlighted by names such as Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake, Wei-Yin Chen, Scott Kazmir and Yovani Gallardo — should come into play. Jason Heyward now stands as the top-ranked free agent from MLBTR’s Top 50 list, wherein we pegged Price to land exactly $217MM over a seven-year span (albeit from the incorrect team and without the inclusion of an opt-out clause, which does strengthen the deal’s overall value for Price).
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe initially reported that Price and the Red Sox were in agreement. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that Price would receive an opt-out after three years. Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported details of the contract’s structure.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
TheMichigan
Hot dang! Way to go Red Sox
noahflesh
Great
gobraves46
Holy crap
wilymo
and here i was just getting ready to start complaining about how there wasn’t any news today
Friars17
Holy crap
jakegreenberg24
Well this should be interesting to look back on in 5 years
skrockij89
He has a opt-out in the deal after 3 years. Doubt he would exercise it though.
123redsox
I doubt he won’t exercise it. I doubt that if he opts out he will sign with someone else for more than 31 million per yeat over 4 years.
disgruntledreader 2
Yes, because there’s certainly no precedent I can think of for a headlining pitcher who signed a massive contract three years ago who chose to opt out now because the top of the market has exploded since he signed the original idea. No way such a thing would ever happen!
jobu
Assuming you’re referring to CC, the situations are a little different. Sabathia was 30 when he opted out (sort of). Greinke was 32. Price will be 33. And Greinke opted out of about half of what Price will be able to opt out of. Sabathia opted out of about 40m less than Price would be able to opt out of. Even assuming price continues to put up numbers like he has been, it’s less likely he’ll opt out than Greinke or Sabathia just based on the age and dollar factors.
YourDaddy
I dont think Dombrowski is done yet. Best closer, best starter and best ???
impactrookies
Bullpen catcher. Get it done DD!
TheMichigan
Bad bad contract though.
DMC23
It’s a bad contract in the way any massive contract that takes a player into their mid 30’s and beyond though. You pay the price(no pun intended) to get those early years and are willing to sacrifice the $$$ that is paid in the latter years.
Lanidrac
Yet part of what makes the Cardinals so successful is that they’ve only three times ever considered paying guaranteed top dollar to a free agent past his age 36 season, and all three times to future Hall of Famers (or considered at the time in one case) and never to a pitcher. One was Albert Pujols, and they were outbid by the Angels simply because they weren’t stupid enough to do it all the way to age 41 and certainly weren’t stupid enough to actually massively backload the deal. The other two were Ozzie Smith and Mark McGwire, who they did resign, and while the back side of those contracts did turn out poorly, they were generally considered worth it to have them retire in St. Louis (and break a certain record in McGwire’s case).
Any other times they hand out big contracts (i.e. Edmonds, Rolen, Holliday, Molina, Wainwright, Peralta) they always cap the length enough to likely receive reasonable value even at the end of the deal.
ryanw-2
But if it was your team, you’d be ecstatic.
niched
He’s never won a postseason game in his career. Why would I be ecstatic? This could just as easily be a Red Sox signing more in the mold of a Hanley Ramirez than a Manny Ramirez.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Manny Ramirez wasn’t exactly the opposite in demeanor to Hanley Ramirez.
Lance
but Manny was a MUCH better hitter—one of the greatest sluggers in MLB history so teams were more willing to put up with “Manny being Manny.”
Kevin 23
How is this a bad contract? It is the going rate for a game changing ACE.
Acuña Matata
Good now someone outbid the Dodgers/Cubs for Greinke so the Braves can have a prospect war for Miller
Philliesfan4life
and the cubs are just sitting there doing nothing yet, I will be shocked if the cubs get greinke
sportingdissent
Apparently the Cubs think 6 weeks of Jake Arrieta and an aging, regressing Jon Lester are a top quality 1-2 that they just need to put a 3 behind.
Well, that’ll probably put them in good position to get swept out of the playoffs again next year.
justinept
Someone is still salty over that Cy Young award…
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Oh, you mean the Cy Young that Kershaw should have won, but the baseball gurus gave to Arrieta because they wanted a change of scenery? I’m with him there. Kershaw was tops in as many categories as Arrieta and had the better FIP.
YourDaddy
Kershaw wasn’t even in the discussion for the Cy Young and certainly didn’t deserve to be. Only Arrieta and Greinke were part of it.
disgruntledreader 2
Kershaw was absolutely in the conversation for the Cy Young. Most competent analysts recognized that Arrieta, Greinke and Kershaw all had essentially equal claim on the award.
YourDaddy
BS. EVERY writer and commentator and even fangraphs said that there were only TWO in the conversation and Kershaw was not one of them. If you can find one that said differently, please post it. Other than your blog.
grapher0315
Before referencing Fangraphs as support for your claims, I suggest you read Dave Cameron’s post on Nov 18 where he clearly states there were three equally deserving contenders. Also august Fagerstrom had a post on Nov 20 where he also presents arguments for any of the 3 to be the award winner. I’m pretty sure Jeff Sullivan also had this position but I think I’ve made the point.
disgruntledreader 2
Basic literacy and understanding baseball really aren’t his things.
disgruntledreader 2
How about Rob Neyer:
foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/story/jake-ar…
disgruntledreader 2
How about Fangraphs:
fangraphs.com/blogs/clayton-kershaw-isnt-the-clayt…
disgruntledreader 2
How about ESPN:
espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14089198/a-comparison-c…
disgruntledreader 2
How about you pick a different user name so Padres fans stop looking so bad by association.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Kershaw had the best FIP, the most strikeouts, tied for shut outs and complete games… how could he not be in the talks? The only reason was because the writers wanted someone new. Kershaw was better, IMO, than Arrieta, but at the least just as good as him.
michaelw
LMAO lol if anyone deserved it besides Arrieta it was Grez, Kershaw, was lucky to be even mantioned with those two…Give me a break. Oh yeah the Cubs beat him too lmao.
Lance
Arrieta had that great month of September that voters remembered. But It was just one year for Jake. Kershaw has been the most dominate pitcher in MLB since Randy Johnson. Even if he never wins a post season game….He can pitch on my team any time! The heck with the award…
Toksoon
Where do you get that arrieta was only good for 6 weeks? Better look at the back of your baseball card because once he became a cub it all turned around for him
justinept
Arrieta has a 2.26 ERA (2.62 FIP) in 437.1 innings with the Cubs. That’s more than 6 weeks…
naperguy23
Arrieta only had one month (May) with an ERA above 2.45. That’s a little more than 6 weeks. And if Lester is “regressing” why was his second half (3.04 ERA) better than his first half?
wb3cubs
Aaaawwwww…… Somebody’s feelings are hurt
michaelw
No the Cubs are just not going to waste 217 Million on one guy when they can get 2 or 3 guys for that. Simple as that. Were will you be in June better home you raise that trophy.
Lance
Is Arrieta a true elite pitcher or was this a Steve Stone—one shot career year?
Mikel Grady
The didn’t blow $217 mil on one player that’s doing something isn’t it? You want price and Lester last 3 years of their contracts losing games making mega bucks?? No thanks get 2-3 number 2 or 3 starters and heyward or Gordon . All egged in one elbow is risky
Kevin 23
Heyward is going to get the same money that Price got!
Hofjoemann
Is this English or some mutant version of English?
wb3cubs
Very disappointed that the Cubs have done NOTHING so far!!! I thought price was a great fit in Chicago, but at 30mil a yr……. I can understand why Theo walked away
YourDaddy
Other than a #3 type starter, what do they need? All of those are still on the market. A CF to replace Fowler?
B-Strong
The Cubs don’t need a contract like this. They Cubs have a #1 and #2 already. They should pick up Samardzija and Lackey, and make a bid for Heyward. That would be way better money spent overall than them signing Price. The Sox absolutely NEED price.
donniebaseball
They would lose both of their first round picks and their second round pick if they did that. No way that happens. Theo values the draft too much for that. Much more likely to make one trade, and one signing or two trades.
Voice of Reason
The Cubs can’t afford greinke.
The Cubs budget is $140 and they’re at $110.
donniebaseball
I really don’t think they have a hard cap on their budget this year, but that said, i don’t think they sign greinke. I think they trade for a starter.
justinept
There won’t be a prospect war on Shelby Miller… He’s a good, but not great option that would serve as the #3 starter for either team. Additionally, Tyson Ross, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco are also reportedly on the trade market. The only potential trade candidates worthy of a ‘prospect war’ would be Jose Fernandez and Sonny Gray — neither of which is actually on the trade market according to their respective teams.
DMC23
Or Chris Sale and he’s not likely going anywhere either.
Acuña Matata
Padres wont trade to the Dodgers so there goes that. Salazar and Carrasco MIGHT go and thats a stretch at best. Maybe one but not both. The Indians aren’t rebuilding. Miller has more years of control and everyone sure does have him pegged at only 25.
justinept
Padres won’t trade with the Dodgers? Really? I’m pretty sure they did a year ago… But I digress. I agree that the Indians won’t trade both starters, but they do need OF help, and if the Cubs offer someone like Soler for one of those starters – it would be very tough for them to pass.
And while Miller has more team control, that doesn’t change the fact that of the pitchers mentioned – he’s at the bottom of the list.
Acuña Matata
Yeah they salary dumped. Thats not a “hey here’s our #1 or #2 starting pitcher for 1 or 2 blue chip prospects” thats a much different beast.
And there’s the problem, hes at the bottom of YOUR list. You have no clue whose list hes on or where.
justinept
He has nowhere near the stuff of a guy like Carrasco, Salazar or Ross. Even Teheran ‘out-stuffs’ him. The only way Miller moves up the list is because he’d cost less to acquire… But when you start throwing out the term ‘Prospect War,” then you lose his biggest advantage.
jo17
I think ross is the only one
Acuña Matata
Except for the whole part that all of you seem to miss and forget. MIller learned his sinker from Wainwright the previous season and its a HARD sinker.
He’s mixed his pitches in well to complement the sinker. Seems to me way too many of you are stuck in 2013.
But if 2016 comes around and he regresses I’ll come back here and bite the bullet. But I just dont see that happening. This is not the same Shelby Miller you guys…
Mark 20
I dont get why people are under valuing miller. W/L record means nothing and hes already had good numbers and is young.
Lanidrac
Exactly why I don’t think the Braves should trade him at all. If they trade him, who’s going to front their rotation when they move into that new ballpark in 2017? Sure they could sign someone next offseason, but the pitching market won’t be as good then, and anyone they do sign will be a lot more expensive than Miller.
slider32
Teams might find that it’s smarter to try and trade for starter, all top free agents are high priced.
vamosbravos
I absolutely concur with you that there won’t be a ‘prospect war’ on Miller. However, not a all for the reason’s you suggest. No, I simply don’t think so because come April 4th/16′ ( Opening Day) I fully expect to see Miller on the mound for the Braves, as they host the Nat’s.
Acuña Matata
You as much as I would love that. But as a realistic Braves Arm Chair GM, if there is a quality group of kids that can be had in a package for Shelby I’m all for it.
slider32
Cubs already have 2 potential aces, they will be fine!
sportingdissent
When did they sign them?
justinept
The Cubs have a legitimate ace in Arrieta and a guy in Lester who would be the #1 starter on a lot of teams… At worst, Lester is a top-flight #2 pitcher on a championship caliber club.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Never mind, he’s an ace, but Price is better.
donniebaseball
Don’t even respond to people like that.
hojostache
…not named the Mets.
Lance
It remains to be seen if Arrieta is a true ace. Lester sure didn’t look “top flight” last year IMO.
hojostache
I’d add Matt Harvey, who has the same walk date as J. Fernandez.
R.D.
I’m imagining Ross’ control issues will scare suitors, Salazar is muuuch less polished, and Carrasco would probably cost more than Shelby.
YourDaddy
Ross is a top 20 starter on almost every stat including ERA, FIP, xFIP, K/9, HR/9 (#2 in baseball), H/9 and more all while dealing with one of the worst defenses in the league and a .320 babip. Take out the starts with Norris behind the plate and he is a top 10 pitcher over the past two seasons. At this point he may be the most sought after starter that may be available in trade. This site has mentioned 12 teams that have inquired about him. Several writers mentioned on here have said it will take a “monster deal” to get him. Local radio here is saying a young, controllable MLB starting pitcher and 2 impact prospects are the starting point for discussions. I dont think ANYONE is scared off by walks.
YourDaddy
Tyson Ross is a top 20 starting pitcher over the past two seasons in just about every stat, top 10 if don’t include any of the starts that Norris was behind the plate. He will require a “prospect war” if any team wants to trade for him. Local radio here is saying a Preller wants a young, controllable starting pitcher and at least 2 impact prospects on the table to even start a conversation. That is a major haul and he is worth it. Shelby Miller is 24 years old with 3 years of team control. He is coming into the age that historically are the best for starting pitchers. His only problem has been walks and at 3.2/9 they are not out of hand. He has a 3.27 ERA in 95 starts over the past 3 seasons with good velocity and misses bats. It’s no mystery why Miller reportedly has more than a dozen suitors. He would be part of a “prospect war”.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I’m not trading Ross unless I get a Major League ready shortstop and possibly more. But that’s just me.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
Many teams have inquired about Ross, but Preller will only deal him for the right package. If he does end up getting traded, it would be nice to see the Padres get a shortstop as part of the return.
seamaholic 2
You can stop typing after “outbid the Dodgers …”
Acuña Matata
Lol, I know right. But hey, you never know
Acuña Matata
*Cough*
JMCOLLECTIBLES
YES FINALLY WELCOME TO BOSTON DAVID PRICE
Eric D.
What is Kershaw’s contract? I thought he had the largest?
impactrookies
7/215 price gets him by 2 mil!
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Actually, it’s 7/217
impactrookies
No I’m right. 7/215 check it out.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Where? Did I miss something?
AsFan89
He’s referring to Kershaw, not Price.
impactrookies
^ Someone’s paying attention ^
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Ah, okay. My bad. Thought he was talking about Price. A bunch of thumbs downs for a silly mistake? Seriously?
Eric D.
Welcome to the internet
arodgers661
Kershaw will end up with more tho when he opts out after 5 years and signs another 7 year deal lol
slider32
Price isn’t Kershaw, except in the playoffs.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Small. sample. size.
We can’t just not sign the best pitcher because he had a couple so-so years in the playoffs.
Doug
2-7 with a 5.12 ERA in 14 games is not that small of a sample.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
It is when you compare it to the regular season stats he puts up.
People develop this idea of “good postseason pitcher” and “bad postseason pitcher” when really the whole season should be looked at as the determinant. One specific block of timing doesn’t change the talent of the pitcher.
Acuña Matata
He’ll never earn that contract lol.
billyheywood
Hey since you can see into the future can I get the PowerBall numbers for this weekend? I’ll split the winnings 50/50 since I’d throw down the $1 for the ticket.
Acuña Matata
Really? How about instead of being a smart-ass you explain to me how David Price deserves $217 million? Because I sure as s*it can’t wait for this answer
justinept
Because Max Scherzer received almost identical money a year ago… That’s how the business works. One guy sets the bar for the next guy.
Acuña Matata
That didn’t answer my question at all
ryanw-2
Because you’re asking the wrong question. And he’s right. You and all the other armchair GM’s don have a clue of what goes into paying a player that kind of money. On field production is only a part of it. There’s media exposure, merchandise, etc. Price already deserves that contract for giving the Rays, Tigers, and Jays ace numbers for minimum salary under club control to begin with.
jo17
Not really the minimum he mad 19mil last year
Acuña Matata
What are you talking about? How are you going to tell me I’m asking the wrong question? ITS MY QUESTION. This entire chain was started by me, so exactly how are you going to tell me what i meant?
Second of all, Price has earned over $50 million. THERES where his contract should be. He made what? $19 million last year? Get out of here man, you’re just talking out of your backside.
No pitcher deserves what theyre getting paid. Stop telling the economics of baseball. I know it better than most of you lecturing me. But once again not the point.
When you actually want to tackle my question. THAT I ASKED. Then I’m all for a debate. Otherwise troll elsewhere.
adyo4552
No pitcher deserves what theyre getting paid? Define deserves. Also, chill the hell out.
Acuña Matata
Price already earned $50 million and you’re arguing he deserves another $217 million. First you need to define deserve.
Lastly, no I wont chill the hell out. Look at what half of them are saying. They’re not even addressing what I stated they just want to go off on their own tangent.
justinept
Why did he deserve the first $50 million? Why do you deserve whatever device you’re using to participate in this forum?
adyo4552
Youre asking how someone deserves their salary and cant even provide a criteria for “deserves”. Markets set price. When a player gets what the market dictates, he deserves it. Until you can articulate another definition of deserves, youre all noise and no substance.
justinept
He was very clear that we can’t use market principles to show that Price deserves this contract… 😉
justinept
“Deserve” has many different usages… Perhaps you should be clearer about what you mean. After all, if EVERYONE is reading it differently than you intended, then the problem is likely with you.
Joe McMahon
Deserve: The amount of money that his expected performance is worth based on market conditions at the time. There, I defined it for you.
YourDaddy
So what? Do you realize how much money MLB and the individual teams are making. Its a $9.5 billion per year industry and that number is growing every year. The percentage of the revenue that players are getting has fallen to 40% over the past 14 years. The Red Sox payroll at the end of 2015 was only 42% of their revenue for the year. Price deserves every dollar of wht he is getting.
justinept
Option A: Players receive absurd contracts…
Option B: Owners pocket the money.
It sounds like you’re in favor of Option B.
If this is not true, then stop asking how a player deserves this much money. He deserves this much money because the money is there to be given to him. He’s one of the top players in all baseball. It’s really simple… Either the players get the money or the owners pocket the money.
slider32
I’m for the players making as much as possible, they are the product.
stymeedone
Option C: Players get paid well, but not ridiculously. Owners are allowed to make a not exorbitant profit. Fans see a small reduction in ticket prices and concessions and attend more games in response. I can dream, can’t I?
justinept
And Billy Heywood, the boy wonder owner of the Minnesota Twins, created this thread – not you. So there’s that…
You asked how Price deserves this contract… You then want people to answer that question in a vacuum where simple supply and demand economics doesn’t exist and where precedents have no meaning… Here’s the problem – the contract doesn’t exist inside a vacuum. It exists within the realm of a billion-dollar industry wherein players of similar age and value have received the exact same contract. Furthermore, it exists within a world where someone with the ability to give him that much money decided that he’s worth it…
Here’s a question for you – Why is a gum ball worth a quarter but an iPad is worth $450? Please answer this without using any economic principles…
jo17
Billy heywood didn’t start it
slider32
Forget the money, I heard I heard the Tigers GM say you have to spend to win. The teams have the money. The problem is you can’t buy the series.
Joe McMahon
Layercake, you are horribly misunderstanding how supply and demand works. Like, horribly. You can’t just say that he won’t deserve it because it’s a big number, that’s not how things work. Money is relative. Price is worth whatever the market will bear. And in the current market, Price will almost definitely be worth this contract, because that’s how much owners are willing to pay for his level of production. $30M a year for a 5-6 win player is not a lot at all in the current market, despite the fact that it might make you uncomfortable. Could Price fall apart completely? Sure. But if he doesn’t, he’ll be worth this contract.
YourDaddy
So please tell us why a pitcher of his caliber that will sell additional tickets everywhere he starts doesn’t deserve the money. With the escalating revenue in baseball he will only be making 6.5% of the Red Sox projected revenue and that doesn’t include the additional revenue they will make in his starts and from the playoffs. Waiting for you to explain why one of the top 10 starters in the game DOESNT deserve that kind of money.
DMC23
Yeah the market dictates his value. How do people not get that? MLB players making the league minimum are grossly overpaid, but that’s the benefit of playing in the Majors. This is just a case of a guy cashing in on his current market value.
Acuña Matata
Yeah except for the part where I didn’t ask him that….. Seems like people interpret whatever the hell they want and THEN answer.
In other words they’re answering their own question….
slider32
The upside is all of these players are worth the money, the downside is none of them won the world series.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
It’s inflation.
YourDaddy
How about instead of being a jerk you explain why he DOESNT deserve $217 million.
Lance
It’s the market at work. No one is forcing these huge contracts on the Sox, Tigers, Dodgers, Cubs…..they CHOOSE to do it and so the players naturally take it. Your “worth” is whatever someone is willing to pay you.
Draven Moss
Probably not, but that is the case with all major free agent deals like this one. If they can get 20 WAR the first 4 years and 10 WAR the last 3 I think most would be happy.
YourDaddy
30 WAR has a current market value of $246 million. Since the value of one point of WAR increases annually, that number will be closer to $270 at the current rate of inflation. I think the Red Sox would be ecstatic with that.
AsFan89
He already did.
ryanw-2
He already did. By giving ace numbers for peanuts in his time under club control.
Acuña Matata
Thats not earning a contract, thats placing arbitrary numbers on a piece of paper and saying “here you go”
AsFan89
I do agree that just because someone is underpaid doesn’t mean they should be overcompensated for it later, but I do believe he’s earned this contract. Putting in hard work all your life for this moment.
bravos4evr
the estimated cost per win this free agent season is about $8m. so, on a $217m deal over 7 years Price must be worth around (not accounting for inflation )27 WAR ,(or average around 3.8 per year) That’s totally possible. Let’s say he follows a path of 6,5,4.5,4,3.5, 3, 2.5 WAR over the next 7 seasons (declining at .5WAR per) that totals out to 28.5 and delivers pre inflation, $12m in excess value.
Joe McMahon
This post made me happy. Well done.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
I agree, very good post. Hopefully this will clear the air from a lot of the arguing going on in these comments.
impactrookies
I guess Peter Gammons was right! Wow! That is a whole lot of dough!
jakesaub
DD <3
smelliott00
That’s early. Hoping he’d go to cardinals
bluejayseveryday
NNNNNNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric D.
lol this comment cracked me up
Eric D.
Welcome to Boston Mr Price!
jacobywankenobi 2
Everything is pretty much as expected here. Felt like a coin flip between Sox and Cubs. Contract is right in line with projections too. Cool stuff.
cardfan2011
Wow so not the Cubs eh?
Eric D.
I don’t think the Cubs could afford this kind of money. It’d be better spent extending their young guys.
justinept
They’re not going to spend the money extending 2nd year players… So scratch that off the list. A $31 million per year deal, however, is too much for this club to carry considering that Lester is making $25 million and Arrieta is due to hit FA in 2 years. Still calling Heyward to the Cubs, which would allow the Cubs to deal from an extreme strength to reel in young, cost-effective pitching for the middle of their rotation.
mmlotto0707
Way to rich for the Cubs
MotownMagic
Dombrowski loves David Price!
stymeedone
That’s cuz he throws hard.
MeowMeow
WHOA, huge contract, but the pitcher I wanted the Sox to sign. Proven AL East competitor. Please, please let this work out for at least most of the contract.
MB923
I’d say it will for at least 4-5 years
bluejayseveryday
For all the Jays fans out here, please don’t boo him next time if you see him at a game. This man got us so far. All the way to the playoffs for the first time in 22 years. He wanted to stay. Always will be a Jay in his, and our souls. Congratz David. Hope you have good luck in Boston!
Ted
Agreed. Not his fault he got traded for all those prospects, and I won’t hold it against him for signing elsewhere. By all accounts he played his butt off in Toronto and was well-liked by the team. I might be in the minority of Jays fans but I think that trade was well worth it, even for “just” an ALCS appearance.
bluejayseveryday
Definately agree
stl_cards16 2
Was a Jay 3 months and he’ll “always be Jay”?
genius.gm.on.mlb.the.show
You make it sound like he was there for 8 years or something.
Drewnasty
WOW. Cue Yankee fans throwing hat down in anger.
(Throws hat down in anger)
jacobywankenobi 2
Why? They’ve been playing against Price for his entire career and it’s not like he dominates them either. He has a 4+ era against them. It’s not like they were even considering signing him either.
stormie
Kind of missing the point…he’s an elite pitcher that went to a division rival. Whether the Yanks were going to try to sign him or not, it’s still a blow to their own chances for the next 5 years.
rocky7
Wow, good signing RedSox….but don’t let your loudmouth owners talk about payroll. The Yankees are COMMITTED to reducing their overall payroll and probably pay over the next couple of years for that plan. But, and its a bit one, a pennant was never won in December and on paper. Beware of expectations!
stormie
Price and Kimbrel are a very good start, but they have a ways to go to catch the Jays on paper. I doubt anyone has any big expectations that they’re some world-beating team all of a sudden.
ianthomasmalone
I didn’t know we needed to spend money on a guy like DD if all we were going to do this offseason was spend tons of money and trade top prospects for closers.
At least there’s the chance he’ll opt out after 3.
benfiorica
And get chris young.
yewed
i agree. I was one of the few last year that was happy the Sox didn’t offer
Lester more. This Kind of money blows me away. When is it worth it? If
they win 1 series in the next 7 yrs. is it worth it ? I am looking forward to seeing
how far they will go. They have to be over the luxury tax now if you include
the arb.cases. Will they suck it up for a year then try to reduce payroll or
just keep paying ? This is starting to remind of the Theo days. A lot of bad
contracts or paying other teams to take our players. We just finished paying
for Manny. I have not been a fan of a lot of decisions made over the last
few years. i am still thinking about this one. First impression is not ecstatic.
impactrookies
Well he gets to beat up on the Rays now, kinda bittersweet.
lunchmoney
Rays mash lefties including Price. Casali is going to hit a million dingers against this clown
Doug S.
Christmas just came early.
All star closer? Check
4th outfielder? Check
Ace? Check
Dombrowski done before the winter meetings.
Eric D.
There’s plenty more work to be done
Philliesfan4life
I hope price and ortiz can put their differences aside and get a long
Eric D.
Ortiz is retiring, I don’t think he has any chips on his shoulder bro.
Doug S.
Yeah trade Wade Miley for a nasty reliever with control. Anything else?
hojostache
lol..not w his contract.
Doug S.
Yeah, trade Wade Miley for a nasty reliever with a few years before free agency. Any other suggestions?
ianthomasmalone
Chris Young is the crappy Christmas present you get from your aunt you don’t really like. An ugly sweater that doesn’t fit very well without the gift receipt.
Justin Broja
Ur dumb TBH. Young is a reliable bat against left handers who has nice power and speed.
A'sfaninUK
Look at his career numbers at Fenway and then come back and apologize.
stymeedone
Payroll climbing? Check
Farm system thinner? Check
Hasn’t won anything yet? Check
It’s Detroit all over again.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I have mixed feelings about this contract, but glad we got an ace.
mookiessnarl
Well, I guess we got our ace.
nats7
Wow slightly over 30 million a season
aggee10
YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!
alt2tab
31 MIL AAV…hard pass
ImAlwaysRight
The Red Sox have one starter now!!
Eric D.
Actually, they have Price as well as Buchholz, who will be back from the DL, Porcello, whose peripherals indicated a bounceback, Eduardo Rodriguez, who was great in a debut and should keep improving, and Miley, an average 5th starter, not to mention Joe Kelly, Henry Owens, and Brian Johnson who will all challenge for rotation spots.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Buchholz is an injury waiting to happen.
Eric D.
He’s good when he’s healthy though, and we’ve established Boston has rotation depth
ImAlwaysRight
Yeah it’ll be okay throughout a season, but that rotation won’t make it through the playoffs especially since price blows in the playoffs
ImAlwaysRight
It’ll make it through the season.. Maybe but it won’t last in the playoffs especially since price can’t pitch in October
Eric D.
The playoffs are always a crapshoot. People said Kershaw couldn’t pitch in the playoffs either and he ended up doing well this year.
ekim666
I thought everyone in the rotation made a lot of improvements over the last month of the season. I’m actually content with the rotation for now as long as everyone can show up healthy. Bucholz is an ace in his own right when healthy. And Rodriguez has been nasty for extended periods of time. Miley was very consistent the whole year it seemed like. So if he can pitch that well again he’d make a solid 4. And then Joe kelly and porcello turned it around to make themselves a competent 5th starter. So to add price to this rotation now will obviously make them better.
A'sfaninUK
They need one more FA SP off the market and they’re a legit force again, at least on paper. Tryin to get Papi that last title, impressive.
Toksoon
The doc have to move a sp or two now as they have 4 lefties in the mix. That’s not gonna work in the al
stymeedone
Did Porcello’s peripherals indicate his collapse last year?
Eric D.
No, that’s the opposite of what I said.
impactrookies
With that kind of money, you could have bought 30 Byung Ho Park’s! 30!! Parks everywhere!!
A'sfaninUK
lol
Philliesfan4life
I am in shock, the cubs are sitting there doing nothing yet, I will be shock if they get greinke away from the dodgers.
baseballpun
So what is that…like $217 million per postseason win?
MB923
Wow. Congrats Sox fans.
The Oregonian
Now the pitching market’s really going to heat up!
skrockij89
Price earning $31 million a year. That’s crazy!!
jabmets
That market is about to explode
DMC23
Paying for those first 3 years and maybe 1 or 2 more and just living with the final 2 or 3. That’s the way of things now. Ton of money, but I’m not paying him so I’m happy to have him.
ImAlwaysRight
You need more than one starter to be good
mookiessnarl
You can say it as many times as you want. It doesn’t make it any more true.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
It’s not entirely true. You need a good bullpen as well, which we have worked on getting.
A'sfaninUK
Didnt KC have one good starter this year? Volquez and who else?
ImAlwaysRight
But I’m not wrong lmao there’s a reason you sucked last year
friars1973
There is a opt out clause after 3 years he will opt out unless injures so he will never see the 7 year of this contract
charles stevens
I feel sorry for Boston fans. DD is going to destroy your franchise just like he did in Detroit. You better hope you win a WS before the money runs out and the farm is empty because DD will be sneaking out the back door off to his next victim.
truroyal15
Have to agree with ya on that. Can’t blame the big market teams for spending that kind of money but he is not worth 31 million a year. Yikes
Eric D.
Most of the contracts aren’t his fault, Yet. I’m no DD fan, but he wasn’t the one who signed Ramirez, Sandoval, and Rusney.
charles stevens
True those were bad deals that he inherited but take a look at Detroit. Cabrera, Verlander, Fielder. How did those deals work out? How about their farm system? This is what he does. He rides into town and makes a bunch splashy moves and hopes it works. Once things look dim he gone!
wilymo
hard to tell how much of that was the owner, though. and when they peaked those tigers teams were *good*. they should have gone all the way in ’13 if torii hadn’t overrun that one ball
A'sfaninUK
Yeah it seemed the owner made a lot of the long term contract deals in that he said “I want this player, get him however you can”, and a mixture of what DD could do with the rest. Wasn’t the owner obsessed with guys that throw hard and made DD target those kind of guys? Also the V-Mart resign was his call too. These are all rumors I’ve seen on here and twitter.
stymeedone
Its DD that likes the fastball. Even when he was in Miami.
JT19
And if he doesnt resign verlander or cabrera, he gets slammed for that too. In hindsight those are bad deals but at the time, those two were coming off a monster season[s] and while people knew they would regret it at the end of the deal, thats the risk you take. Any smart player is going to take multiple years of guaranteed money. You think Price would take a two or three year deal? Of course not, players want guaranteed money for as long as possible. Owners/GMs have come to accept that by the end of the contract, the player is going to be a huge overpay but they’re willing to pay for a few good years for it
ekim666
How do you figure? It was all illitch in Detroit telling him to try to win now instead of stocking prospects for the future. All DD did was do what he was told to the best of his ability. If anything you should praise him for the trades he made. He got price for absolutely nothing from Tampa. Fister was a complete steal from Seattle at the time. The fact he was able to attain what he did with what he had is enough for praise.
stymeedone
In hindsight, it would be nice to have Smyly back. Cheap, controllable, and Price didn’t lead us to the promised land.
tgonsalez11
Guess this means you can definitely rule out the Red Sox trying to trade for someone like Sonny Gray then.
Eric D.
I wouldn’t rule it out completely. Gray isn’t expensive and they still have tons of depth.
chesteraarthur
None of them are expensive. When you look at potential arb payments, Sale may actually end up being the cheapest ($ wise) of all of them.
Eric D.
I feel Chicago will want a lot more for Sale than Oakland will for Gray
chesteraarthur
That’s why i said cheapest ($ wise). Sale is the better pitcher too. I continue to claim that his arm is going to explode every year, but as of now he’s proven me wrong, so he should cost more (talent wise) to obtain than Gray
A'sfaninUK
You don’t have to rule it out of if you say “Trade for Gray at some point in the next 3 years” because that might actually happen. This offseason? Nope.
DMC23
If Gray or Sale or Fernandez was made available the Red Sox would definitely still be in on them. They still have the minor league depth and those guys aren’t making a ton of money yet. They’d happily bump one of the guys they have off of the back of their rotation to add a young, affordable, front of the rotation quality starter.
Eric D.
I’m not sure why everyone is saying Boston’s pitching is still terrible. It’s not great, but it’s far from bottom of the league like in 2015. Buchholz was great last year before he got injured, Porcello will bounceback, and we’ll get further development from E-rod and Owens and potentially Brian Johnson.
chesteraarthur
Until buch takes his annual trip to the DL, you realize that rick porcello just isn’t good and stop betting on a pitching staff to stay healthy and develop linearly. But yeah, they should be fine.
Eric D.
Porcello actually is pretty good, according to stats. Note I didn’t say Great, I said pretty good. Not to mention the young starters they have…
MB923
Porcello is average at best. And even that may be Overestimating him.
Eric D.
He’s normally a 3 WAR pitcher. In fact the big difference in WAR between him and Zimmermann, who got a similar contract, is that JZim had a season where he topped 5 WAR before returning to his normal 3 WAR self.
MB923
Normally? He’s reached 3 WAR Once. His career WAR is 11.2 in 7 seasons
Eric D.
But he isn’t even 27 yet, his best seasons are before him, and like I said last year he was flukishly bad. his xFIP was 1.20 lower than his ERA. He’ll bounce back, especially since there’s less pressure on him to perform. He should stop trying to strike guys out and focus on what he’s good at – getting groundball outs.
chesteraarthur
Which has nothing to do with the fact that you saying he’s “normally a 3 war pitcher” is just absolutely fabricated. You can change the goalposts of your argument all you want. Your initial point is just completely false.
Eric D.
Check out his numbers with Detroit. 4 straight seasons with a 2.5-3 WAR.
hojostache
…and lately? He’s a back-end of the rotation starter if you look at his stats.
Eric D.
As I quoted above, his stats indicate last year was a normal year for him, he just was unlucky in terms of ERA.
Hank Murphy
Red Sox sign Price, Blue Jays sign Happ. Not too hard to tell which team is serious about contending in 2016 and beyond. Maybe we will see another flip in the standings. Red Sox have done a few worst to first before, and with all the collective air being let out of Toronto by management phoning it in may result in a plummet for the Blue Jays.Happ’s contract and Dickey’s plus 6 million would have gotten them Price. I would bet Price will win more than those two bums put together.
A'sfaninUK
The Jays should only do one of two things right now:
1. Go into sell mode. Ain’t no way they’re touching Boston or NY next year. Boston’s only just getting started with this offseason too, the Jays outside of a reliever or, look pretty done. They could get a ton of talent back for Donaldson, Bautista, Encarnacion and be back in contention quickly.
2. Encarnacion and Bautista are most likely going to hit the FA market next offseason, so that means they are going to be going berserk at the plate in their 2016 walk-year, as will Donaldson and who knows who else. Why not go fully all-out and sign Chris Davis, both as a future power anchor if/when either/or E5 or Joey Bats leave? It will also make 2016 a season for the record books in terms of runs scored. The weak-looking Jays rotation won’t have to be good, they’ll always have a 7+ run cushion.
But if they don’t do either of these things they are most likely going to end up around .500.
Gardner_012
Ugh
gblasius
Kershaw is a way better pitcher….not even close.
impactrookies
I think DD’s old team fared better. They got Jordan Zimmermann for HALF AS MUCH! HALF! Is David Price worth twice as much as Zimmermann? I vote no.
Eric D.
He is. Price is a consistent 6 WAR pitcher, Zimmerman has topped 5 WAR just ONCE, and been worth about 3 wins in his other seasons.
impactrookies
Right but they have 110 million left to make up that difference!
Eric D.
Zimmermanns contract was market value. Price’s contract was also. I know it’s more than Kershaw but actually Kershaw is underpaid yes I said it.
impactrookies
LOL you’re adorable.
A'sfaninUK
Zimmermann’s was wildly under market value, excuse me. He left money on the table by only trying to sign with a Midwest team to be close to his Wisconsin home. He told the Dodgers he wasn’t interested.
heberts811
But will Zimmerman be half as good? Who knows?
Toksoon
Price is worth every penny , 1 cy young and 3 top three finishes in the last 4 years.
MB923
Sox will probably be the AL East favorites, which also probably means they will miss the playoffs. For the last 5 years, Zips and all these other projections were way off each year on the Sox
2011- Should be one of the greatest teams of all time
2012 – New manager should help them bounce back from the beer/chicken September collapse
2013 – Another new manager to take over a mediocre team
2014 – Reigning WS champs. Will compete again
2015 – Sign Panda, sign Hanley, trade for young pitching. ALE favorites
2016- ??
Sox had a good second half so I will be really stunned if they don’t even get a WS berth.
Eric D.
They’ve had more success in that span than the Yankees have
MB923
They’ve also done much more poorly in that span
Eric D.
But the Yankees fans always tell me World Series Championships are the only thing that matter.
MB923
When you have one of the highest payrolls every year, they should matter.
Eric D.
Then why don’t the Yankees have any?
MB923
They won 6 years ago. Let’s not pretend that they have a very long drought.
Eric D.
1 in 15 years < 3 in 11 years
MB923
1 in 15 > 3 in 97
Bronx Bombers
Look at all the coaching and front office changes during these years.
adyo4552
Idk the difference between missing playoffs by one game and by 40 makes a big difference. At least the latter nets a good pick. Plus they get to bring prospects up that coudlnt happen if contending until disappointment near years end. In sum Sox were bad plenty of times but they did win a ring, and not finishing last would have been no consolation.
MB923
So finishing in last place looks better for a team than falling short of the playoffs?
Okay then.
donniebaseball
Called it. That contract is rediculous
Hentai King
“The Price is right”
That headline is free Boston.
Eric D.
Wow haven’t seen that one ever before. How original.
Rob L. 2
Did you come up with that all on your own? Because his last name is Price…and the game show…That’s amazing!
ryanw-2
That came out of nowhere.
AndreB
Price just ruined his career. The EXACT thing happened to Crawford.
lunchmoney
Crawford made some clutch misplays for the Rays. Expect this Price clown to get shellacked
Toksoon
Trop turf ate up crawfords knees before he left the Rays
charles stevens
Now Greinke should be looking at 6 years and 192 mil.
A'sfaninUK
I received a lot of negative feedback on this site anytime I’d say Greinke would get $200M…interesting now…
Randy Jay Pena
Wow! I was taking a nap just woke up to this great news! Way to go Sox!! Would be great if they can Cueto next for a 1-2 punch in the rotation.
impactrookies
Zack Greinke > David Price
A'sfaninUK
Boston may get them both.
Kershawshank Redemption 2
The weird thing is the opt-out clause could work to the Red Sox’ advantage, That’s just where Price might be peaking, so he could opt out and have his decline years elsewhere.
charles stevens
Price peaked in 2015. He has nowhere to go but downhill from here.
Hentai King
But he’s going to Boston though.
impactrookies
He would be outside his mind to opt out of 31 mil a year! Not happening.
mookiessnarl
Just like Grienke would never opt out. If Price has typical Pricelike years top of the rotation pitchers may very well be making 35-40 but then.
stymeedone
Once he pockets 90 MM, he may no longer think that he needs max money. Yaneverknow.
charles stevens
Zimmerman got screwed.
MB923
$110 million. He’s set for life. He could have rejected it like Cueto, but he got am offer and took it. He didn’t get “screwed”
charles stevens
I’ll rephrase it. He screwed himself out of millions of dollars.
A'sfaninUK
He limited his market because he wanted to play near Wisconsin where he’s from. That’s not “screwing yourself” thats “having life priorities”.
A'sfaninUK
He limited his market because he wanted to play near Wisconsin where he’s from. That’s not “sc rewing yourself” thats “having life priorities”.
bob123
Anybody but Boston!!!!
sportingdissent
But but but…the Cubs! LOL, can’t wait for the spin on how he soured on them instead of never actually being interested short of creating another bidder.
chesteraarthur
Probably when they didn’t want to go to 31m AAV and an opt out?
sportingdissent
I can’t see how you can be serious about him and not expect that. He’s the best arm to hit the free agent market pretty much ever.
chesteraarthur
You can be serious about a player…to a point. The cubs’ spending is restricted by the purchase agreement that Ricketts was required to agree to until 2019.
I am glad they didn’t sign him for this much money. I think many cubs fans are.
nikogarcia
Being a huge cubs fan, it sucks seeing him sign to another team, but seeing the money he got makes up for it
dx4life
Thank you Red Sox. That hurts just saying that. But I was worried that the Angels would over pay him. Have fun getting blown out vs every AL West team when he is on the mound.
superman 2
Congrats to the Cubs for not making that deal. I know that’s not really what the fans want but it would be nice if we could build our pitching prospects like we have our bats. Who knows we might find a gem like Arrieta from Balitmore.
lunchmoney
This Price clown cracks under pressure and is a total nerd. The East is going to clobber this old man like never before
Hentai King
Nerd? What year is this?
chesteraarthur
I don’t think the year matters, there are morons in every era. I’m also not sure what being a nerd has to do with one’s ability to play baseball.
genius.gm.on.mlb.the.show
Does “nerd” offend you? That’s such a soft insult
adyo4552
weird to say of someone whose majority of career was in AL east..
MB923
A nerd who will make more money than all of us combined
citizen
beat out the yankees. east cost dodgers.
yanks02026
Yankees weren’t even envolved.
yanks02026
Sorry I gotta LOL again. He’s a great pitcher but ways too much
gomerhodge71
I’m not gaga about the seven-year part, but it’s that or roll the dice with Porcello as your #1.
mookiessnarl
Not really. At least three other guys would have to get hurt before that was a concern.
Mark 21
Red Sox are paying him 20 million a year. He is supposed to be there ace of the staff before Price. Will he ever be? NO. But they gave him that contract to be a front line starter. Not a 4th or 5th starter like you think.
chesteraarthur
I think it’s become pretty evident that “aces” get paid more than 20m aav
hojostache
…but a #4/#5 SHOULDN’T get $20m/yr. that is straight up theft for the numbers Porcello is putting up.
chicubbies1
Porcello, least talked about worst signing ever. Let’s pay a career 4.40 ERA pitcher $20 million. What idiots. Why does that not get ridiculed more?
wilymo
it does, doesn’t it?
start_wearing_purple
…When did it not last year? Seriously, I thought for a while last year his name was legally changed to Rick the worst pitching contract of the year Porcello.
sportfan
David Price he is a very good pitcher but the Bosox over pay him.
whitemule70
These signings never work out. Too much money, and he’ll probably get hurt. Of course, most people won’t think about that. Another dumb Red Sox move, I’m afraid.
adyo4552
They are dumb if they dont get an ace, theyre dumb if they pay one. smh
Otto371
thank you adyo. if the Sox went another offseason without getting a legit ace people would be tearing them apart. so they sign a legit ace and some people still want to criticize them? i dont get it. Overpay is an awful argument. Every top of the line FA is overpayed. its the name of the game. not my money i dont care. they got their ace and it only costs someone elses money. Huge W for the Sox
cubsflan
Would have been nice to see David Price in a Cubs uni, but glad Cubs held back after seeing what he got. Rather see the Cubs go out there and sign a pair of #2-3 starters then just all in one guy. Another big reason holding off is that the Cubs will be just giving a contract close to this to keep Arrieta within a year.
heynow
To bad this guy can’t pitch in Fenway, in the playoffs or vs the Yankees.
yanks02026
How is when the Yankees sign players it’s buying championships. But when the Red Sox sign many $$$ players it’s not buying championships.
chicubbies1
It is. Everyone thinks it too. It’s just that the rest of the country’s hate toward the yankees is so universal. Very few people like the Yankees outside of the New England region. If they do they are ridiculed and called a poser. Being a fan of the Yankees is the equivalent of being a Cowboys fan. There’s at least one of those D-bags in your town for no explicable reason. Also known as bandwagon fans. If you’re from and live in,say, Nowherland, Nebraska and are a Yankee fan I question you as a human being.
chesteraarthur
Because they don’t win
Otto371
id rather buy a championship than not have one… i dont understand this argument
stymeedone
The Yankees have the more WS trophies than any team. Red Sox have 3. I’d say the difference is the W-L records.
chicubbies1
And Theo and Co. still sitting on hands (which might be a good thing, actually). As for the Red Sox….. not surprised dumbrowski overpaid. That guy is so all or nothing. Look at the mess he left in Detroit. Went all in there and has nothing to show for it and now the team is flooded with awful contracts. Boston’s already there with Sandoval and Ramirez. Might be adding Price to that list in a couple years too. I can see him shooting his load all over Kimbrel too with a crazy amount of money in an extension as well.
cubsflan
I think they are going to sign Samardzija and maybe even Lackey now. Think they will sign two #2-3 starters now
chicubbies1
Lackey is such a god awful idea though. It’s such a Cubs move. Depressing. “Let’s sign a 37 year old who has been mediocre at best most of his career because he had one good year last year…. his first in like 7-8 years…. perfect sense.” He’s the old, white model of Edwin Jackson.
cubsflan
Not saying I am for Lackey, but Lackey is way better then Jackson. Plus I would think Cubs be only giving him a 2 year deal at the most.
chicubbies1
You won’t be saying that when he posts 4+ ERAs and is getting paid $16-17M a season.
chesteraarthur
fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1507&posit…
Perhaps you should look at some stats, rethink your nonsense, and come back when you can make informed contributions.
chicubbies1
I have looked at his stats. That is why I have my opinion. I don’t get why everyone is getting chubs for a guy who averages about a 4.00 ERA and a WHIP north of 1.30. And he’s 37. I don’t get what is so hard to understand here on why it is a horrible idea. I’d rather see them roll the dice and hope for a bounce back year from either Latos or Fister….. or both, on 1 year deals. Just 2 years ago Fister and Latos where excellent #2 quality SPs.
“but look at the WAR” all the noob fans will say, not realizing that isn’t even a stat and is just some empty assumption.
chesteraarthur
It isn’t a stat? You seem to lack an understanding of…well a lot. The reason you go with someone like Lackey is because he has been decent for a #4ish pitcher. They need to fill out their rotation to avoid having to rely on the Dan Haren, Clayton Richard, etc. etc. pitchers of the world. Latos was awful and got relased. Fister looked awful.
First, signing them is going to take 2 roster spots instead of 1. Second, they’ll likely have a higher aav than Lackey. Finally, what do you do when these volatile pitchers don’t turn it around? You get stuck with a carousel of 5th starters, just like they did this year.
chicubbies1
I actually hopes this means they sign Heyward now to play CF. That would pretty much lock up all their positional spots up for the next 5 or so years. Bryant, Russell, Baez, Rizzo, Schwarber, Heyward, and Soler. Then they have Montero at catcher and after next year Contreras should be making his debut or Schwarber moves to catcher and McKinney makes his debut in LF.
Sign Heyward, sign Samardzija, trade for Qunitana if possible.
nikogarcia
The way I see it, they sign Heyward to open up flexibility in trading guys like Soler, McKinney, Almora, and maybe even Happ (obviously not all but at least one if not a couple) in a deal with someone like Torres for Miller or Teheran. Even though you seem totally against Lackey, which given his career numbers he really is just average at best, I could see the Cubs going after him to have his veteran presence and attitude in the club house. I cant imagine Theo will throw too much money his way (again) and the deal will max at 2 years tops, wouldn’t mind having him on the team.
oaklandfan1
Whats that payroll at now?
charles stevens
I wonder how big these contracts can get before it all blows up. I mean were looking at $200 nosebleed seats, $20 beer and $18 hot dogs real soon. Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered…. Be very careful mlb.
chesteraarthur
Teams get more money from tv/advertising/marketing than they do in stadiums. Prices are rising in parks because people continue to pay for it, not because they decide they want to sign players.
superman 2
Congrats to the Bo Sox for landing him but with that being said I’m glad the Cubs didn’t shell out that kind of dough. I’ll be content with adding a guy like Shark/Lackey and continue to develop our pitching prospects like we have our young bats.
rmullig2
Wow, this reminds me of the CC contract. Both guys at the top of their games but with an awful lot of miles on their arms. What happens to Price when he starts to lose velocity. I think his off-speed stuff is not as developed as CC’s at the same point in their careers so this could look real ugly in a couple of years.
Eric D.
At least Price isn’t 400 pounds.
rmullig2
What does weight have to do with it? Having a bad skinny pitcher is better than having a bad fat pitcher? Maybe the Sox should have dumped Ortiz for Adam Larouche.
Bronx Bombers
CC didnt get bad till he lost weight.
Eric D.
Red Sox are going to be terrible if they don’t get an ace. So they get an ace and everyone says they’ll be terrible because Price will be terrible and that the contract is too big. SMH no pleasing some people.
adyo4552
Its sour grapes. The guy was nearly Cy Young. Whats the alternative, they penny pinch for another B starter? No thanks.
Bronx Bombers
They had a farm they could have used to acquire an ace.
stymeedone
The alternative for Boston is to sign another Porcello to huge dollars. Lmao because. DD got rid of him in Detroit, only to be saddled with him at a massive overpay in Boston.
Otto371
^^^ this. couldnt agree more
EarlyMorningBoxscore
The opt out makes this deal even better.
cubsflan
Guarantee that he doesnt opt out. Only way he does if he wins about 2 cy youngs in the next 3 years
EarlyMorningBoxscore
He may and he may not, the fact that there is one after 3 years is great.
chesteraarthur
For Price.
chicubbies1
He’d have to be on some special kind of drugs to opt out of this deal after only three years and heading into his age 34 season.
EarlyMorningBoxscore
Why? If he is pitching well at that point his deal will be under the market value for an ace. Opt out get higher AAV.
genius.gm.on.mlb.the.show
You can convince yourself all day that its really a 3 yrs $90 million contract. The market value for an ace isnt going to be $44 million AAV by 2018
A'sfaninUK
Great deal for both sides, congrats to the RS fans on here in finally getting a good FA pitcher for once. Need one more SP sign and they’re a force again.
jnorthey
With that opt-out and 7 years if he loses his arm this year I’m glad the Jays didn’t resign him.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Jays were never going to resign him anyway.
Bronx Bombers
Boston bid against themselves, dont think anyone was going to Sign him at that AAV.
peterangelosisataintstain
They are really gonna regret that one.
mrshyguy99
with the way things are going i can see zack staying a dodger, unless some unknown team i dont know of take him,
Francys01
That’s a lot of millions annually, I’m glad That the Cardinals do not spend so much money like that in only one player or pitcher .
tom.brown5
Not to shabby for someone who may pitch in 32 games a year
charles stevens
Just curious but for those who follow the al east closely how has Price pitched at Fenway through his career? Not exactly a spacious left field is why I’m curious.
mookiessnarl
6-1 with a 1.95 ERA. Looks pretty nice to me.
slider32
The Cubs were 7-0 agains’t the Mets this year, past performance doesn’t mean that much.
Eric D.
He always dominated Boston bats
amazedandconfused
Realistically, they’re probably hoping he opts out after 3 great years. If you notice these deals are always disasters after a team resigns their superstar who has opted out, think Arod. The original deal Arod signed probably wouldve been pretty good value.
hojostache
Over….wait for it…..pay! Wow. I knew he’d get paid, but that is going to get ugly on the back half, if not sooner.
mrshyguy99
so if price can get that kind of money. i wouldnt be shock if zack got more or close to that. since you know he had one of the best season of any free agent pitcher
rogerwilco
$31MM per year. Didn’t expect that in a market saturated with SP’s.
krok0806
As a Yankees fan I am ecstatic. Besides the few starts in Toronto this year, the Yankees have crushed Price in his career and he has also been crushed in Fenway. Also 31 Million a year is insane, a Sabathia waiting to happen except almost 10 Million more a year. I haven’t been this happy with another teams idiocy sense the Cano deal and look how that has ended up.
wilymo
his career ERA in fenway is 1.95, but, ok
Kaylee12
Come rangers make a trade for Jonathan lucroy
charles stevens
I’d love that but don’t see it happening until July at the earliest.
charles stevens
Well in Price’s defense he should hold up better than Sabathia. When you pay a fat guy thats getting old you have to know it won’t end well.
Johnny Shoe
217MM to slide in behind Porcello.
charles stevens
These guys should start getting opt outs after 1 year like Lebron. They could just keep getting a raise every year until they suck.
legend27
I cant begin to imagine what a Greinke contract will look like!
charles stevens
6yrs 192 mil
jo17
6-180
michaelw
180 Million at 6 years or 5 at 160 I got inside info – SF Giants (coming in the next 72 hours)..SHHHHHHH Don’t ask how I know that? I have inside link…
chicubbies1
People acting crazy about this always cracks me up. This is pretty much what he was predicted to sign for. Now that a team actually paid him this predicted amount it is “overpaying.” Do I think it is overpaying? Yes. But it apparently is market value. I think MLBTR had him going for 7 years and $210. $1M aav off is pretty much market value. Just like they were off $1M aav on Zimmerman. No one has yet to be seriously overpaid yet as far as what is considered market value. You want to see someone overpaid, look at Porcello and his 4.40 career ERA. Boston is paying him $20M a year. Now THAT is well over market value.
bobbleheadguru
Avila outflanked Dombrowski again. The Red Sox bid against themselves. No one else was close.
Price’s contract is basically double Zimmermann. No way Price will be $107MM better than Zimmermann barring injury, which the Tigers likely have insurance for.
This comes on the heels of the Tigers getting K-Rod for a small fraction of the trade cost of Kimbrel.
To put this in perspective, the Tigers can now get a guy like Zobrist with Zimmermann and still stay under Price’s contract.
rbrincheck
All true but Price is significantly better than Zimmerman and almost won another Cy Young this year. DD overpaid for Kimbrel but he did a good job with Price. I’m sure he’s hoping Cherington gets a new job so he can unload Ricky P’s horrid contract.
bobbleheadguru
Bottom Line.
Price is 10% better than Price at double the contract.
Zimmermann was at Cy Young level in 2014.
slider32
All true!
bruinsfan94 2
How did Avila outflank him? Are the Tigers and Red Sox the only teams in the league? Price is a lot better then Zimmerman and signing Zimmerman would have cost the Red Sox the 12th pick. Zimmerman is very good but the Red Sox have a great core in place and are adding pieces to win now. Price is a true Ace and is much better then ZImmerman and did not cost a pick> Krembrel is clearly in a different league then K rod.
adyo4552
Any Sox fans here wishing they got Cueto or Greinke instead?
Otto371
No, wanted Price from Day 1. Knew it was going to break the bank, love the deal. Boston is a big market team they might as well act like one.
cubfanforever
I think the Cubs will now sign Samardzija, and trade for another starter. I hope they pass on Lackey. Maybe Miller, Teheran, Carrasco, Ross, or someone off the Mets roster.
I don’t see them making a play for Greinke or Heyward.Maybe their money will be better spent this way. Would not have a problem if they resigned Dexter Fowler. They are always looking for value and I don’t think they see it with the big money guys. They seem to be trying to stay true to their mission.
rmullig2
They have the most expensive rotation and the most expensive bullpen in the American League. Add to that a lineup with five regulars earning over 10M annually. If they can’t win the division with that then somebody needs to get fired.
mrshyguy99
goes to show doesnt matter how much money you have it wont always make your team good
R.D.
Is it me or does it seem like every time the Red Sox toss out a massive contract it backfires heavily? Lackey, Panda, Hanley, Daisuke, J.D. Drew, it’s a pretty rough percentage at least.
Still, Price gives the Red Sox an ace that they really, really needed.
Price/Buch/Porcello/Miley/ERod/Owens could actually strike fear in someone.
rmullig2
In fairness, that is true of most teams’ FA signings. They almost always disappoint in the long run. Manny’s contract paid off well for them.
start_wearing_purple
Your analysis is exactly what I’ve been saying and thinking. The Sox last good major FA pick up was probably Manny. Maybe Drew depending on how big of a deal you think it was and how much you accept his postseason role.
That said, we needed a gunslinger. With a top starter and top closer the Sox look like a very different team.
wilymo
JD drew was a pretty good contract. he was a good player who made a reasonable salary for a free agent. the other outfielders available at the same time were guys like alfonso soriano, who signed the real albatross deal that year. drew did exactly what he was supposed to do. lots of people hated him, though, so everyone’s gonna keep on talking about how awful he was forever.
wilymo
panda and hanley, it’s been one year, i don’t think you can pass final judgment on those yet.
lackey is what he is, he just ran into a rough patch of arm health in the middle. pitchers do that sometimes. then right at the best moment of that deal, the free season that kicked in last year because of the TJ clause in his contract, they traded him away for joe kelly and the negative asset that is allen craig. that was a horrible trade, but it doesn’t make the lackey contract worse.
chesteraarthur
Panda and Hanley have dug such a huge hole by producing below replacement seasons that it will be damn near impossible for them to produce enough surplus over the remainder of their deals (as they just get older) to make them close to even.
wilymo
eh, whatever the math says, if they revert to something resembling their usual selves for the rest of the deals, they won’t look nearly so bad
Otto371
I would argue Lackey and JD Drew signings worked out fine.
A'sfaninUK
Price’s career numbers at Fenway are a sight to behold. He’s losing nothing playing in that notorious hitters park. 11 GS 2 CG 74 IP 1.95 ERA – hot damn!
start_wearing_purple
Wow.
Randy Jay Pena
So does the Rex Sox kick the tires and get Greinke, Cueto or Maeda? Because I’m not liking that rotation with only Price, Buchholz, E-Rod, Miley and Porcello. Love the Price signing though but the only ones I can trust in the rotation is Price and E-Rod.
A'sfaninUK
I’m thinking they go all-in and get Greinke too. Don’t love their current options other than E-Rod too much at all. Greinke taking 30 starts away from that group makes them from pretty decent to downright scary.
Randy Jay Pena
I doubt Greinke comes to the AL he prefers to hit so I’m guessing it’s between Dodgers and Giants for him.
michaelw
You guys are idiots The SOX ARE DONE! They blew their wad on Price there is no more aces, or even second tier pitchers coming. You just better hope he deleivers and doesn’t get hurt. Ot it be Washington part 2
slider32
The Nats had one of the best rotations of all time on paper last winter.
michaelw
MAO Umm got news for you the Red Sox are now done except maybe if they can trade for someone and dump people. That is was the load – Done for the season good luck. I’ll laugh if he gets hurt lol.
smurf56
That was fast. We got our Ace.
michaelw
LMAO Umm got news for you the Red Sox are now done except maybe if they can trade for someone and dump people. That is was the load – Done for the season good luck. I’ll laugh if he gets hurt lol.
bruinsfan94 2
Very classy
michaelw
I should apologize. But the Red Sox fans are thinking they now won the world series. How fast they forget about the Nationals last year and the Yankees bust. I’m happy they got Price but to rub it in to everyone, it just nuts. Patience, Patience. As a Cubs fan I still say and still believe as bitter sweet as it might be, a better move is Trade for a pitcher, maybe sign a 2nd Tier pitcher spend big bucks on an out fielder, and will be fine. Getting the Shark, and Mead or Lackey is a winner trust me. If they get a Heyward or Gordon or Zob then this is a winning Winter. NOT Signing Price or Grez is not the end of the world and MIGHT BE a blessing in disguise. Be nice if the Cubs and Sox meet in the WS next year. –
Soxfan912
Calm down Debbie Downer. If the cubs got Price you would be excited too. FWIW, I hope the Cubs trade Soler (and minor characters) for Shelby Miller. That would be a solid rotation and it would stick it to the Cards for trading him last year.
Mike Vergason
Alot of money indeed but a great pitcher as a Yankees fan I say Kudos to the Sox big move they needed to make , I’m curious what Cashman’s move will be to acquire a starter or 2 better than what they already have. I think Severino will be a stud and if Tanaka’s elbow holds that gives them a very good 1-2 punch after that it’s a crap shoot with Eovaldi and Pineda both of whom have electric stuff but are so unpredictable and CC is a shell of himself although before he entered rehab he seemed like he was turning a corner. I was hoping the Yankees went after Zimmermann but he;s off the table now so Cashman will have to get creative.
daniel h. 2
that is so much money for someone who has played for 2 AL East teams who now know all about them and a lot of money for someone who struggles in the playoffs.
superman 2
Another example of a team trying to buy a championship. It didn’t work out too well for Dombrowski in Detroit. Its not going to work in Boston. The key is developing your own prospects and keeping them. Look at the Mets rotation. The Cubs young bats. I’ll be surprised if Boston wins the WS in 2016. These deals never work out.
chesteraarthur
I think this was too much money, but let’s not pretend like the Sawx don’t have a really nice collection of young/controlled/home grown talent on their team and close to the majors.
Jeff Hill 2
Exactly Bogaerts is an AS, should’ve been last year. Betts is great as well. Moncada should be pretty good. E-Rod was pretty good as well last year.
YourDaddy
For all the people who said no way Price goes to the Red Sox, BWAHAHAHAHAHA.
mwk89
got the top available pitcher w/o surrendering benitendi, or moancada/devers. just for henry’s $$$
start_wearing_purple
Ok, now that it’s had a minute to sink in:
1) It’s a massive overpay. – Well yes, but how exactly were the Red Sox supposed to get a top starter without making a trade. Without a top starter the rotation is at best highly questionable. So criticizing it as an overpay, whatever. They needed a top starter and Dombrowski got one. I’d rather seem them risk this on Price than whatever it would have taken to get Cueto.
2) But he’s not a playoff pitcher. – Well let’s get INTO thew playoffs first and Price is an undeniable regular season ace which, again, the Red Sox desperately need.
Overall if it was mine checkbook, I’d hate this deal. But it’s not my money and tickets to Red Sox games would have risen next year regardless of them increasing or decreasing payroll. The Sox needed a top starter and they got the top starter on the market.
brake1223
The guy is a good pitcher,but I find it hard to pay a guy that kind of money who is 4-10 in the playoffs and has an 5.16 ERA.That tell me that he’s good against average teams.
mike156
i didn’t think anything could eclipse the Chris Young signing….
jackiemays
He’s surely a great win-now addiction. But i still think the Red Sox rotation is suspect…
bobbleheadguru
Miggy. Verlander. Fielder. Price.
Overpay. Overpay. Overpay. Overpay.
No Mike Ilitch to blame this time.
DD bidding against himself again.
CubanRaftRider
Just the ace the Red Sox rotation needed. Slots in as the aforementioned number one starter, alongside Clay Buchholz, Eddie Rodriguez, Rick Porcello and possibly Wade Miley, while moving Kelly to the bullpen to create a combination of Kimbrel, Uehara, Tazawa and Kelly. Things are looking up for Price and the Sox.
bobbleheadguru
Red Sox were allergic to dollars after age 30 last year. That is why they inexplicably overpaid Porcello, whose main quality was that he was 26.
This year, they sign a guy who will cost them around 100M after age 34.
By contrast, the Tigers will pay Zimmermann nothing after age 34.
That is a huge difference.
Colton530
Red Sox got a great pick up and Price is going to help them a lot
michaelw
Cubs are going to sign the Mad Hungarian out of retirement, for league minimum. ROTFLMAO and I’m a Cubs fan lol. They better start to do something.
BUBearcat26
For the sake of the Redsox, I hope he opts out after year 3. Too much money to be giving someone who has probably 2-3 years left in his prime (not to mention he disappears in the postseason). Wouldve rather liked to see a trade of jbj, marrero, and possibly a lower tier prospect for shelby miller and an OK prospect.
shulty
He is going to regret not signing with the Cardinals. I wouldn’t be surprised if he opts out after 3 years.
cardfan2011
Apparently, the Cardinals were second in the Price sweepstakes, and offered him the largest contract they wouldve ever handed out. Oh well, now with Price out, Greinke wanting to pitch on the West Coast, and Cueto’s bad history with the club, this team will not get the ace they desired
edredsox
Every one keeps saying that he is over paid but this is exactly how much MLB trade rumors predicted he will make. Scherzer got 210 last year and price is better and is a lefty so he should make more than him.
dmm1047
I don’t know why a team would okay an opt out clause unless it worked both ways.
nymlagares
#overpay just like every other FA!
bobo678
never understood signing guys to such long deals in their 30s he will be 37 …you figure he will most likely be a 30m per year pitcher for only 3 or 4 years of that contract if he doesn’t get hurt …so your willing to lose the 90m on the back end …its like what happened with cliff lee to us…even hamels doesn’t look like the mvp world series cole that we traded this year at age 31 and kicked in 50 m
Soxfan912
Because if you want him at age 30 you have to pay him at age 37 as well. If you don’t someone else will. Obviously they (the team) do not prefer to do that, but if you want good players you give out big contracts. If you are lucky enough that they opt out after a few good seasons, and smart enough to quit while you’re ahead, then you are looking at 3/90 for a potential cy young threat who can take the pressure off the rest of the rotation and buy you time while your pitching prospects (hopefully) develop.
Doug
Wow! If that’s how much Price is getting, imagine how much a truly GREAT pitcher could earn these days!
edredsox
who are the truly great pitchers
Larry D.
That is a lot of money.
impactrookies
David Dombrowski on 3.
drinkinwithfermi
Lol. Is Boston’s organizational philosophy “give out terrible contracts until we get lucky?”
Bob Smiley
this contract looks legit after looking at what the Tigers paid for Pelfrey. holy hell
Lanidrac
A challenge? Try nearly impossible to the point that I don’t know why he even bothered with an opt-out. Even with three years of MLB salary inflation, does he really think his stock will be that much higher at age 33 to secure a higher AAV on a new contract than it is now? Yes, Greinke managed it at age 32, but he wasn’t considered a truly elite arm when he signed that deal, nor was that deal already one of the richest contracts in the game.
onlyringsmatter
Price is also considered an elite arm today.
Soxfan912
I actually believe there is a good chance he WILL opt out. He is still in his prime so 3 very good seasons is incredibly possible. Then he will opt out of a 4 year deal to end up with a 5 or 6 year deal somewhere else (hopefully). The market is growing so much that Greinke actually highered his AAV in the process of opting out of his Dodgers deal. If they are smart they will just let him walk and give Cueto something like Greinke’s old deal.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
I am shocked that the Red Sox went all in here like this is a way, I mean they did win the World Series in 2013. I know everyone wants a competitive team every year, but still to pay this kind of money and considering they have been successful for the past decade boggles the mind a bit.
Ken M.
Last place 3 out of the last 4 years. Revenues and ratings down at NESN. This makes the team excitingly interesting again, which in turn drives up ratings and revenue.
start_wearing_purple
We needed an ace. Price fit the bill. As for the price tag, well attribute that to the market.
Bob Smiley
you guys think the Red Sox paid a crazy amount…look at the Deal Pelfrey got from the Tigers….the Red Sox did great!!