Veteran infielder Eduardo Nunez is headed back to the Red Sox, the team announced Sunday. Nunez has agreed to a one-year deal with a player option — essentially, then, a two-year guaranteed contract with opt-out — and will reportedly be guaranteed $8MM on the deal. Right-hander Ben Taylor was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, per the team.
The 30-year-old Nunez will be guaranteed $4MM in each season of the deal and can reportedly boost his 2019 base salary by $250K for each of his 250th, 300th, 350th and 400th plate appearance in 2018. He can further boost his 2019 salary by $250K by reaching each of those plate-appearance-based incentives again in the 2019 campaign. The 2019 player option comes with a $2MM buyout, so Nunez can earn up to $6MM this season if he re-enters the market next winter.
Nunez has long been mentioned as a target for the Sox, who could use the depth in the infield and are especially interested in finding a fill-in for the still-recovering Dustin Pedroia. While there’s some optimism that the team’s long-time second baseman won’t miss an extended period to open the year, he has been banged up a fair amount in recent seasons. Plus, the organization is also preparing to rely on the relatively unproven (but plenty talented) Rafael Devers at third.
Though Nunez has spent most of his career elsewhere, he made an impression during his stint in Boston after arriving in a trade deadline swap from the Giants. Nunez posted a robust .321/.353/.539 batting line with eight home runs in 173 plate appearances after the deal.
Unfortunately, Nunez was limited by a knee injury that ended up requiring a lengthy rehab period. Indications are, though, that he’s back to full strength as Spring Training gets underway.
Clearly, nobody will expect Nunez to continue producing like a middle-of-the-order slugger. But he has unquestionably raised expectations for the offensive side of his game after a tepid showing to start his career. Since the beginning of the 2015 season, Nunez owns a strong .296/.332/.443 slash.
The other elements of Nunez’s game are worth noting, too. He has also swiped 72 bags over the past three seasons and generally grades as a quality baserunner. And while he has never graded as a particularly good defender, he is capable of palatable handling of any infield position and has also spent some time in the corner outfield.
In his new deal with the Sox, then, Nunez can reliably be asked to handle second base early in the season while Pedroia is on the shelf before then returning to a utility role. That’s of additional importance given the yet-unproven presence of Devers at the hot corner; while the former top prospect impressed in his half-season debut in 2017, he’s yet to log a full season in the Majors and did cool after a hot start to his career. Nunez gives the Sox a plenty serviceable option at third base, should the need ever present itself.
The 26-year-old Taylor, meanwhile, was a seventh-round pick of the Red Sox in 2015. He saw his first major league action last season and tossed 17 1/3 innings of 5.19 ERA, notching 9.35 K/9, 4.67 BB/9 and a paltry 26.4 percent ground-ball rate along the way. Taylor was more successful in his Triple-A debut in 2017, albeit over an even smaller sample (13 1/3 frames), as he worked to a 2.70 ERA with 8.1 K/9, 3.38 BB/9 and a 45.5 percent grounder mark.
An earlier version of this post mistakenly suggested that Nunez had undergone surgery on his knee.
MLB.com’s Ian Browne first reported that there was momentum toward a deal (via Twitter). Robert Murray of Fan Rag reported the agreement (also via Twitter). Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reported the structure of the deal and the incentives breakdown (Twitter links). FanRag’s Jon Heyman reported the specifics on his yearly salaries and opt out (Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
As a Sox fan id love to have him back.
Not sure why he needs to pass his psyical though. I’m so far on the owners side in this free agency fiasco but the Redsox put Nunez out there twice when he was injured they should sign him regardless if his knee is 100%.
“Not sure why he needs to pass his physical though” good one guy. As a Yankees fan they should most definitely sign him whatever his health status…lofl
I’m not sure how you’re able to navigate on the internet after THAT statement…but just to clarify you don’t understand why he needs to pass a physical?
I’m pretty sure it’s sarcasm.
It doesn’t really read like it. Reads like because the Red Ox played him when he wasn’t feeling 100% they owe him something
That’s exactly how it reads because that’s exactly what he means, and he’s an idiot. Granted…John Farell is a moron and never should have put him on the field the 2nd time. The 1st time was all on Nunez. Which for me, is the very reason I’d love to have him back. I definitely want him to pass a very in depth physical first, but if he’s 100% healthy then signing him is a no brainer. Its hard to find a player with that kind of heart and passion for the game. Think about it. There’s no way he didn’t know his knee wasn’t close to 75%. Yet he went out there to do everything he could to help the team at the risk of further damaging his knee, in a Contract year. He undoubtedly cost himself millions by doing what he did.
Your not sure why he need to pass a physical? You actually said it out loud and in writing? Wow!
I don’t understand why they needed a physical, only because he was just with them and went through their rehab and all that, didn’t they already know what was going on?
love this move
Thank you Johnny Superscout.
Happy to help
Neat sounds!
Eduardo really rolls off the tongue
I like that song!
Good player. Can pretty much play every IF position and LF I guess. Plenty of AB for him.
This might end the JDM pursuit. Cant see Nunez accepting less than 12 -15 million a year
If he gets that much, it’ll be an awful overpay
1.8 WAR player the past 2 years and only 1 yr deal so no decline discount. In this market who knows
Logan Morrison had those two years’ worth of WAR last season alone. Can you not see him getting less than 24-30 million a year?
1.8 WAR is not worth 12-15 million a year. Thats insane. He would have never got that deal
actually, the going rate has been about 9 million per WAR win..
For who? What 3 WAR guy makes 27 million a year. What elite player makes 45 million a year.
This guy is gonna be real happy when the Red Sox get Nunez for 2/12
The dollars/WAR relationship isn’t how it actually works when it comes to contracts.
1/8mil sounds good with that team option for another 7? Either way, I don’t see this ending their ‘pursuit’ of JDM. You’re either in or you’re out at this point. Or have fun playing for the Boras Barons this spring….
Shocked to see the value was as low as it was. Not sure if I missed 2018 incentives but regardless it reflects the Yankees’ desire to stay under the threshold like Boston did last year. By not having the space to up the negotiations, it like cost him substantially. Barring injury, I don’t see him accepting the option.
You are not comparing Nunez to JDM??? They are not even the same type of hitter?? I like the move but they still need a power bat. They need JDM
I think he means based on money. I don’t see Nunez getting more then 8-9 mill on about a 3 year deal. 15 is crazy. If They get him for say 10 mill, They should still be able to give Jd 22-23 million.
Its 1 year and 1.8 WAR is worth 15 million
There is about a zero chance this is a 15 mill deal.
Pete…past markets have no bearing on this one. Common sense
“1.8 WAR is worth 15 Million”
Just cause FanGraphs says that doesn’t make it right. A 2 WAR player is considered an everyday starter. Are all everyday starters in baseball worth about $16 Million? Absolutely not.
Thank you MB.. clearly 22222222petey boy doesn’t know the game and just reads fangraphs. I’ve come to despise WAR bc of people like him, it’s NOT a real stat
You can’t just write it off because you don’t like it, you’re in the minority
Why do the Redsox need a power bat? Did they finish last in HR sure? When was the last time a team who lead the majors in hrs won the World Series? Redsox have a bunch of guys on the right side of 30 and are only going to get stronger and likely hit for more power as they age, benintendi, Betts, Bradley jr, Devers, bogearts wrist will be stronger they won’t finish last in hrs again
Worst part of the lineup last year was the 4-5 slot… very poor RBI production there and it was basically Han Ram with his whopping 65 RBIs that totally sucked… I doubt JDM has the same type of years that he had last year with Hanley around Him in the lineup…. should help Mookie thou
You could compare him to solarte
It’s a good move
What? He will be lucky to get half that! 2/15 tops for him.
He plays every IF position, he doesn’t play them well. His is atrocious on defense.
I cant see any team offering that much for a utility player. Maybe 5mm per.
Nailed it.
12-15 per sounds a little aggressive for a journeyman who is going to play a utility role. This signing also would not shut the door on a JDM signing, Nunez isn’t going to smack 20 long balls let alone the 40+ JDM would provide.
he’s talking money wise
12-15 PER year. he was predicted at 2/14. market only goes down from there
He’s getting 4 million for year one with option for second year. Cheap money..
I doubt he’ll get that much money. This contract is likely more of a “show me” Contract. He needs to prove his knee is in game shape and can survive the rigors of a full season. No physical can do that. Only playing time in real games can do that.
Nice player with pop. He always hustles and loves to have his helmet fall off while running the bases. Ahh.. good times. It was a rollercoaster ride seeing nuneys glove work and foot work.
Substitute the word Hanley in there and you’ve got it right.
I love Nunez, but echoing another fan here……..They NEED JDM!!!!!! We need to impress on DD we need JDM!!!!! My thoughts is I think the owners would be happy JUST to fill the seats when they get beat up on during the season. If the fans don’t voice it to them they’ll do just that. DD are you listening?
Do you think Dombroski browses through MLBTR comment sections?
So you’re saying he doesn’t base his mega-million dollar decisions on the opinion of people with screen names like JuicedBalls33?
I don’t think him personally, but yes his ppl do, I’m sure of it.
Also think bout it, listen to the writers, they know n Redsox front office does too.
I think Boston fans should be worrying about their pitching in the ever-improving AL East!
The ever-improving AL East?? The only 2 teams worth watching will be Sox/Yanks. Boston’s pitching has been solid and should be better with both Sale and Price. Bullpen should be great. Why worry about pitching when they finished last in the league in home runs last year?
They need to worry about their starters ! Is Price healthy? Will Wright be back? What about Pomeranz ? Will Porcello have a better year than he did last year? Sale seems to be the only sure thing at this point! So yea! Pitching! Toronto has a much better rotation
and the Yankees are way improved with an incredible minor-league system that is loaded with talent! Tampa is even better with lots of young starters coming up
and a bunch of others that are almost ready! Plus Baltimore has somehow won a bunch of games in the last 5 years! So yea, pitching!
No Toronto does not have a much better rotation then Boston. The Red Sox starters, on paper, are the best in the AL east. Obviously health is the key to any starting rotation but top to bottom Boston’s is the best on paper.
Yankee fan
You better hope the Sox starters are even healthy enuff to start the season, let alone make it to the All-Star break! But good luck. Not a Yankee or Blue Jay fan either, just an observation.
I agree they need more pitching. If not JDM then a FA pitcher, Arieta, or Darvish…..THEN they would be a team to watch.
Darvish isn’t even on the market
because he will make moves the fans tell him to…sure
Not the moves, but how the fans feel about NOT making moves, FA signing n everything else. They keep the pulse on Redsox nation, to keep the seats filled!
Not they follow us they are monitoring the fans reactions to nothing, they want to keep seats filled lot like when I used to ho to Fenway n you could sit anywhere in the park, including lower field seating.
You really need to lurk more
3 MLB FA signings in one day…. That would be something!
Yes!!! Great news
He’s gonna blow his knee out signing the contract
Heard he ruptured his ear drum answering the call from his agent….what?
I think Nunez is tailor made for Fenway.
Fun fact: Nunez hit three homers in his first 7 games for the Red Sox .469 BA (15-for-32) with 11 RBI.
He had four home runs through 76 games prior to the trade.
Since coming from the Giants, Nunez hit .321/.353/.539 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 23 runs scored in 38 games.
Funner fact: Nunez’s middle name is Michelle.
Theodore Evelyn Mosby
Great signing
So much for super utility swihart
Awesome get it done!!! He was a massive spark plug for the Sox last year. Love this.
Tony C says sign some of my guys or no agreement on pitch clock.
Rob M says doesn’t matter I’ve got the power to implement it anyway. By the way Tony C thanks for that power!
I’ve always loved how his helmet flies off running to first lol
Seems to be a team thing. And why wait for the run the first? You can have your helmet fly off swinging the bat like Hanley. LOL
It was a Nunez thing during his time with the Yanks. It’s what Yankees’ fans probably remember most about him.
I wish I could remember the player but it was mentioned in a Red Sox Yankee book about the 78 playoff game that there was a player on the Yankees who wore his batting helmet a little bit too big so it would fly off as he ran around the bases. He would tilt his head up so the brim would catch wind then fall off so he seemed faster as he ran!! I’m thinking it was when Billy was a player and they were doing a little background on Billy who managed in 78, before he got fired I think halfway through the season. Pretty good book. Mickey Rivers comes to mind, but I can’t remember who they were talking about… and like I said it might rather have been when Billy was a player in the late 50s.
Was it Oscar Gamble? May he RIP! He use to have that big ol fro
and his helmet would just not stay on his head. I can remember it like it was yesterday !
I hope it blows up in their face. I don’t see them spending too much anyways.
Sure you don’t see The Boston Red Sox spending too much lol
lol signing a utility player “blows up in their face”
nunez is horrible, what player are you guys looking at?
actually he’s not
Good. Now they don’t need JD and the coverage can stop.
Good sign he’s good
Not a Sox fan, but I really like this signing for them. A very useful guy.
Everyone said the Sox weren’t in on him and I kept saying it’s too perfect of a fit, how do you not bring this guy back? Love any one year deal pretty much, but this one especially. Good job by DD getting it done. Adds so much security behind Pedroia and Devers especially if Brock Holt doesn’t resemble something close to the player he once was. Even can spell Bogy at short.
Now to find a few extra homers and we are ready to get rolling.
With Nunez signing and Moreland signed earlier, the Red Sox roster will have the same players as last year. The only person missing will be the manager, John Farrell. Fine with me.
That’s a good signing, but what will they do after Pedoria comes back? I feel he doesn’t want a platoon role.
They move Nunez around in 2018.
Nunez can play multiple positions.
And they make Pedroia the DH in 2019 when Hanley is gone.
He plays all over the infield. Besides the Pedroia issue, Brock Holt hasn’t been the same since his concussion issues started in 2016 so there is that aspect but also just dropping Devers into the everyday 3B slot is risky. Nunez covers all those angles in a very nice signing.
Excellent news.
Hope they work it out.
Excellent signing, DD.
Awesome!!!
Possibly the best move the Sox could do this offseason. With Holt still questionable with post-concussion symptoms and Pedroia out for a while the Sox need a good utility guy.
30 year old utility player who is a great fit at Fenway but 15 per ….lucky to get 6 million with an option
Nice call
Eduardo Scissorhands Nunez.
For those that think JDM still comes to Boston. It’s a LONGSHOT now that they got Nunez..
They clearly don’t need him as they are already forecast to win 91 per FanGraphs.
If they get JDM with a 4.1 WAR that at best gets them to 95 wins.
Is anyone stupid enough to pay $100M for 4 wins/year?.
They can always get someone at the deadline for chump change.
You would have him for 5 years so yeah
Well! If fangraphs says it, it must be so! Why would any team rely on the own analysis?
Hey no one’s saying FanGraphs is infallible.
If you have a problem with their projections take it up with FanGraphs.
A team has to have some basis for what they expect their team to do each year. I’m sure the Red Sox and each team have similar numbers or FanGraphs would go out of business..
They need JDM!
Ok, We’ll take this. And only one year guaranteed. Nice work DD. I’m sure there were multiple offers.
Professional hitter
Good move considering we don’t know which Hanley shows up in 2018. If there is no JDM and the 2015/2017 Hanley, Nunez becomes the primary DH when Pedroria returns (assuming Devers is ready for fulltime 3b duty – neither one is a quality 3b option in the field).
As a Yankees fan I can say for sure that he is not a bad player as some have said here. He will give his all at any position and be a solid player. The fact that he likes to play against the Yankees also makes me believe he will be as good as he was last year for the Sox.
Hopefully. Not sure of his knee which apparently is the hold up. He just needs to stay healthy until Pedroia returns. Obviously want more but if he delivers until then as a minimum, things will be fine. Does this mean Brock Holt is done in Boston or do they carry two jack of all trades? Could be three barring a trade or two considering Sweihart is healthy and out of options. Likely depends on JDM. Without him, I can see those three and Bryce Brent as their bench with Leon (until Pedroia returns).
Yes, he is a class act and always gives his team 100%.
Is this the big bat DD said they need to win it all?
He carried a big bat for ~1/5 a season with the Red Sox last year (.321/.353/.539 with eight homers and 27 RBIs). But, I doubt they expect that level of performance through a full season. DD also said that he is comfortable going into the season with the same team as last year, and this pretty much makes the repeat roster complete (other than the loss of Addison Reed who was useless except to eat innings in blowouts AND the additions of three potentially very good pitchers returning from year-long injuries in relievers Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg, and starter Steven Wright).
Just comparing to last year should mean the Sox should easily win the division when you look at Betts, JBJ, Pedi, Bogie, etc. all having down years and so many Yankees players having career years. Would thus expect balancing out stats this year. it doesn’t work that way though. Some will reverse course for different reasons, others will have similar years and still others will continue in the same direction. Hoping both teams remain healthy and play great. Let the fun begin. For those who lived through 1978, it was unreal. The injuries started with NY but crippled Boston the second half. The Yankees played great in August and September, sweeping in Boston to the and later take the lead. Boston though rebounded and the teams continued to win together. One game out with eight to go, Boston won all eight. Season ended tied because the Yankees also kept winning until the very last day. The Monday after the last day of the season, The Boston Heralds front page said it all. it was a picture of Fenway’s then new scoreboard which simply read “Thank you Rick Waits” the Indians pitcher that forced the playoff game. Too many memories of that game to describe here but the ending was what movies are made of. That incredible match up of future HOF players Gossage v. Yaz. Every time I see that video, part of me is still hoping Yaz takes that pitch. To see Nettles catch that ball with the Yankees celebrating at Fenway…fortunately us fans got our revenge in game 7, 2004.
Huh
Love it. Go kick rocks JDM.
Nunez, I would say maybe the same as Mookie in Arb –$10 M with a players option for year 2. Depending on how bad the knee is and if the rest of the physical looks good around $5 with makeable incentives. to get to $10.It’s late in the FA signing to expect more than $10.
The Sox have Marco Hernandez as a Utility guy–coming off a season long injury., Marrero, Tzu-Wei Lin–all as Util. plus Holt and Nunez pending Physical.
64 errors for sure.
Eat some more beans
Boston Strong!
Tony Phillips did not emerge as a super sub until he was over 30. Perhaps Eduardo Nunez follows the same destiny. I prefer the BoSox go younger and develop a 2B to slide into 2B as Dustin Pedroia ages.
Esteban Quiroz FOR LIFE
Longest physical ever.
Something tells me Scott Boras has assumed a couple of identities on this thread. ‘Who needs a physical?’ ‘Just sign him.’ ‘Worth $15 million.’ Sounds fishy to me…..
if he hits like he did in his short time with the sox last year i could see.330/25/100/45 and playing 6 different positions.
Please tell me you’re kidding. You’ll be lucky to get .300/10 HR/50 RBI/10 SB if he’s fully healthy. Take a look at his career numbers
Buh-bye Brock Holt !
He’d be good on NESN
Not necessarily. Spring training is a proving ground for both. Brock Holt is a lefty and has shown he can even play CF. Unless they also sign LoMo, when Leon starts behind the dish, Holt would be the only bench lefty as it is. Barring trades or injuries, 12 pitchers and nine starters = Leon, Holt, Sweihart and probably Brent as the bench until Pedroia returns. They could start with 11 pitchers in the beginning. Hernandez is in the minors and Marrero who is out of options is security on case of injuries. Holt also has an option but to me either he’s on thge team or he starts the year on the DL.
Not necessarily. Spring training is a proving ground for both. Brock Holt is a lefty and has shown he can even play CF. Unless they also sign LoMo, when Leon starts behind the dish, Holt would be the only bench lefty as it is. Barring trades or injuries, 12 pitchers and nine starters = Leon, Holt, Sweihart and probably Brent as the bench until Pedroia returns. They could start with 11 pitchers in the beginning. Hernandez is in the minors and Marrero who is out of options is security on case of injuries. Holt also has an option but to me either he’s on thge team or he starts the year on the DL. correction: Sweihart is a SH but I still stand by the above comments.
I doubt he’ll get that much money. This contract is likely more of a “show me” Contract. He needs to prove his knee is in game shape and can survive the rigors of a full season. No physical can do that. Only playing time in real games can do that.
Heck of a deal at 4mm with an option.. Dollar-for-dollar on his performance easily one of the best deals of the offseason.
$4m with $4 million year 2 player option. (With incentives)
What a steal. And this is coming from a Yankee fan! No wonder the Yankees were interested (at that price)
4 years ago, Brendan Ryan got two years, $2m a year, with third year $2M team option or $1M third year player option if team option is declined. He was the total opposite of Nunez all glove — no stick. We all know which player you’d rather have.
Ryan: 14.9 career bWAR
Nunez: 3.8 career bWAR
Defense matters more, Ryan all day every day. Watch those ERA’s go down. Baseball is a team game, remember? Being good at defense makes pitcher numbers look better, so offense isn’t even needed.
Cheap! If I’m a remaining FA I’m getting nervous.
Not really, Hosmer just got the biggest deal of the offseason on the same day.
But 8 for 144M isn’t a lot AAV all things told. I know he’s got the opt out option but all things told I expected him to land more overall money.
A message from your God..Please re-educate yourself…
THERE IS NO DANA ONLY ZUUL
It’s a nice deal. Truly it reads like a 1 year $6 million deal. If Nunez has any kind of year, even a very mediocre one, he’s opting out and collecting that $2m buyout. It’s a nice signing if he’s healthy.
Of course, as good as Nunez has been offensively of late, when with the Yankees his nickname was Eduardo Scissor Hands because of his rancid glove work.
I liked this signing when I didn’t know the terms. Now that I read them, best contract of the off season. Hands down.
Cheap. Versatile. Fits multiple Boston needs. Great signing.
Nice deal! I remember when people were thinking Nunez was going to get something like a 3/$30 million deal.
Wow. Great deal
Thanks.