The Red Sox have avoided arbitration with Brandon Workman, per a club announcement (h/t Tim Britton of the Providence Journal, via Twitter). It’s a $635K deal, per ESPN.com’s Scott Lauber (via Twitter), coming in just over MLBTR’s $600K projection.
Workman, 28, was eligible for the first time despite the fact that he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2014. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, and never quite made it back to the big leagues last season — though did throw twenty minor-league rehab frames.
While there may still be some risk in the health of Workman’s right arm, Boston isn’t staking much on its bet. Most of the already limited salary figure won’t even be guaranteed until camp is about to break next spring. Mostly, it’s a matter of occupying a 40-man spot, which the Sox are evidently willing to do to get another look at the former second-round pick.
In his 128 2/3 total major league frames, Workman owns a 5.11 ERA with 8.2 K/9 against 3.6 BB/9. But he has generally been better in the minors, including 17 starts at Triple-A, over which he owns a 3.63 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9.
He’ll compete with sale for the role of staff ace!
There are 3 other aces in that rotation already.
If they can get the healthy Workman, as in the one they saw way back in 2013, it could be a real boost to the long man out of the BP. Guy that throws 93-95 with a sweet curve. Not the one that pitched hurt for a year plus before having the surgery.
His ERA out of the bullpen in 2013 was 6.96. He was brutal.
If you look a little closer at 24 years of age he pitched in three rounds of the playoffs, including three games in the world series. He gave up one unearned run in 8.2 innings pitched. Of course he had to find his way but he was effective against good teams in high leverage situations. Easily worth a 40 man roster spot.
I saw that curve in HS I thought he was going to hit me in the face, bailed. Strikeeeeeee
The kid has a lot of talent, hope he makes it back
Totally forgot this guy existed.
Me too… Although he’ll always be best known as the guy John Farrel didn’t pinch hit for in the 8th inning of a world series game
Was Workman’s surgery not successful? It seems like he’s taking forever to make it back, as opposed to a number of other pitchers.
I guess we have to keep in mind that TJ surgery is successful 90% of the time. Occasionally guys don’t come back from it. Bodies are different.
I saw 1 of his games on MiLB network and seems like he was removed from it with elbow pain. Also seems like his velocity in cpl games did see on the miLB net were not typical, tho that does happen when 1st come back.
The game was removed from… *think* may have been a Lowell one, awhile back and not certain.
Not all surgeries, elbow or wherever, “take”. It may not have worked for Brandon the way it did for, say, John Lackey. I hope he can get back to form.
Gotta feel bad for the man
I feel sorry for him because of his injury, but it’s hard to feel bad for a guy with a high school education that has made almost $2 million by age 28
Closer to 1.5 million, sorry still a lot of cheddar to kick start your life in your new vocation
Add his $800,000 signing bonus, and we’re over 2 million