The Red Sox have avoided arbitration with right-hander Steven Wright, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). Wright is slated to earn a $1.1MM salary in his first season of eligibility.
That payday slots in just below the $1.2MM that MLBTR had projected Wright to earn. The knuckler seems to be the odds-on favorite to earn the fifth starter’s role for the Red Sox, barring a surprise outside acquisition.
First, though, he’ll have to show he’s healthy and back in form. Wright’s 2017 season was cut short by knee issues that ultimately required surgery. He ended up taking the ball only five times on the year.
Quite different concerns arose earlier in the offseason when Wright was arrested following a domestic dispute (though there’s no indication it ever became physical). While the league is still investigating the incident, the legal matter has been “retired.”
Boston will hope that Wright can return to something approach the quality he showed in 2016, when a breakout first half earned him an All-Star bid. In 156 2/3 innings over 24 starts that year, Wright worked to a 3.33 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.
Odds on favorite to be fifth starter…? Really? Starters are Sale, Porcello, Price, Pomeranz, Rodriguez….unless someone is hurt, how is Wright fifth starter?
E-Rod is out until may
Erod had knee surgery and will miss at least the first few weeks of the season.
ESPN’s depth chart has him at 5th and Rodriguez as the odd man out, especially considering Rodriguez is just coming off knee surgery and may not even be ready by Opening Day.
Not only is ERod out…how confident is anyone that Price will miraculously heal? He’s also plan “b” for that potential problem.
Price is starting. Nuff said.
Price will be great this year, and then opt out because he doesn’t want to be in Boston. He’s got motivation to succeed just like when he was a free agent last time
Who said he wasn’t? I’m referring to his health. Plan b is Wright.
There is 0% chance price opts out unless he has an absolutely amazing season and proves his elbow is no only healthy but that it’s no more a concern then the first time he was a free agent. Also he’LLB only opt out if he can beat 4 years and 127 mil…
I think he’d opt out if he could beat 4/120 maybe even 4/110. He seems really unhappy I think he’d opt out if he could secure more than 100 million over 4 years.
Lol prices elbow is so messed up at his age he’ll be lucky to get 4/55 with the way the market is moving.
I hope you’re right. I’d love for Price to have a great year – help the team win and let him opt out.
If Price leaves it frees up $30 + to sign another top of the rotation. In order for Price to get someone to pay over $30 he would have to have a Cy Young season–then it’s good for Price and good for the Sox. There’s the money for Sale.
Jalen Beeks,maybe Workman and perhaps the Missouri draft pick will be ready Tanner Houck.
Hey J…
Price has too many miles at this point to ever be great. Hi stress innings in Tampa and pitching in the AL east for most of the time accelerate his wear and TEAR.
So you can pray for the best-great performance and opt out, however by mid year the reality will settle in that “we are stuck with this guy for the duration of one of the worst contracts ever”.
That is the dream scenario for all Red Sox fans, but it ain’t gonna happen. Price will not get another offer approaching $31M a year for four or more years even if his arm somehow stays attached this season so we fans are going to have to live with his carping for all seven years.
He probably gets suspended for yelling at his wife. So Red Sox might not have a 5th starter unless Johnson is ready or they sign someone
Where’s henry owens when you need him
Haha, or Daniel Bard.
Or Jon Lester? Who shouldve been signed instead of Price!
Almost all the Sox players had off years.. I expect 100+ wins and to easily win the AL East. Let’s Go Red Sox!
Lol
Yankees suck!
You’re supposed to put sugar on cheerios….
Lol
Why wouldn’t you just get another burrito Todd?
Dude, I love burritos!
So does Todd and that’s why Donny Freakin Berger had to save him