Steve Pearce proved to be a brilliant in-season pickup by the Red Sox a year ago, when they acquired him from the division-rival Blue Jays in late June. Pearce not only put up excellent regular-season production with Boston, but the first baseman dominated during the Fall Classic to earn World Series MVP honors in a five-game victory over the Dodgers. The Red Sox and Pearce could have gone their separate ways then and ended their relationship on a high note, but a couple weeks after the team won its latest title, it re-signed the 36-year-old to a $6.25MM guarantee.
While Boston undoubtedly expected the good times to continue rolling for Pearce in 2019, he has instead trudged through a season defined by underperformance and injuries. After starting the campaign on the shelf because of a strained left calf, Pearce debuted in early April and proceeded to hit a ghastly .180/.245/.258 (29 wRC+) with one home run in 99 plate appearances through May. The Red Sox sent Pearce back to the IL on June 1 with back problems. Pearce hasn’t returned to action since then, owing largely to the posterior ligament knee injury he suffered while on a rehab stint. A month and a half later, he’s still not slated to make his way back to the majors anytime soon, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Manager Alex Cora issued an update Thursday on Pearce, saying he’s “just rehabbing” at the team’s complex in Fort Myers, Fla., and not “even close to (being) back.” As of now, Pearce isn’t “participating in many baseball activities” and is only hitting off a tee, Smith writes.
The absences of Pearce and Mitch Moreland (who has taken two at-bats since late May) have thrown a wrench into the plans Boston had at first base entering the season. The righty-swinging Pearce and the left-handed Moreland were supposed to be the Red Sox’s solution at the position. Rookie Michael Chavis, who had been at second base, has instead emerged as the team’s starter at first with Pearce and Moreland unavailable. Meanwhile, Brock Holt and Marco Hernandez have taken the reins at second, which played a part in the Red Sox’s decision to to designate struggling veteran Eduardo Nunez for assignment this week. Moreland’s due back soon, Smith notes, though it’s not yet clear how the Red Sox will dole out playing time at first and second when he returns.
I’m sure it’s just a type but you’ve got the ‘handedness’ of the two players backwards. Pearce is the righty and Moreland is the lefty.
Incoming attacks towards you in 3, 2, 1…
Attack attack attack!
Boom!
Bombardment!
Bombardment!
So sad about Pearce. The
Pearce maybe the most unlikely WS MVP in recent memory.
Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski:
-We’ll be fine with Moreland & Pearce at 1B
-We expect Pedroia to play 125 games at 2B
-With the pitching staff we have we feel a closer is unnecessary in 2019
From the reports at the time, the whole negotiations between Sox and Pearce took about 5 minuets. They wanted him, he wanted them, and the owner loves the guy.
It probably wasn’t the smartest thing, but understandable. One of those things the “big boys” can do, and smaller market teams can’t.
It was his reward, like Eovaldi
At the time they resigned him it was a no brainer…
And Eovaldi is not some bust..
He will be very valuable going forward.. and his surgery was not for any major arm trouble..it was for loose fragments floating around in there which could have caused major problems in the future. It was just a matter of getting them out and having it heal.
He will be closing and hitting 97-99 MPH by this weekend ..just watch.
Agree TYJE on Eovaldi closing. They did though it seems over pay on Pearce and misread the Eovaldi market. Not sure if the Astros really were in it but good for Eovaldi to use it as leverage. My guess is they overpaid this year by $6m total.
Apparently, old guys don’t age well. I’m shocked!
There’s no spot for him on the 25 man anyway. Chavis is here to stay. That 6.25m was better allocated towards the bullpen.
Agreed. They never should’ve signed him.
Disagree on not resigning him but should have been for half of what he got. Problem was they tried to justify the difference as a reward by matching Moreland’s contract. $13m combined masher at first with Moreland’s glove a bonus. Just didn’t work out this year.
I remember how shocked I was years ago when Hideki Matsui was the WS MVP and the Yankees rewarded him by letting him go. I thought that was “cold,” as the kids say. Now, given the example of Steve Pearce, I feel a little different about that organizational decision.
Matsui won WS MVP in 2009 and remained on the Yanks through 2012, so he was not “let go.”
Uhhhh…what you smokin?
baseball-reference.com/players/m/matsuhi01.shtml
Oh no Doug….
December 14, 2009: Signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
So the latest is really nothing.
And for $6.5 M, the Red Sox could’ve easily gotten themselves 1 or 2 more unreliable relief pitcher(s).
Wil Myers best position is first. Pads need pitching
The problem with this this BoSox team is not enough quality innings from Sale, Porcello and Eovaldi. They lead MLB in runs. The Bullpen was fine until it was burned out by over use.
If Sale, Porcello, Price. Cashner and Erod start giving them 6+ inns they will be fine.
You nailed it. All of the money wrapped up in that rotation has to deliver more. If they do they’ll make the playoffs. If not, no chance.