Because while John Henry and Co. are clearly moving on from one organizational philosophy – a refusal to dole out big bucks to free-agent starters – they’re still committed to the dream of the “player development machine” Theo Epstein promised so many years ago.
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Former middleweight boxing champion Jermain Taylor struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty in Little Rock, Arkansas, to charges stemming from three incidents over the past year, including shooting and wounding his cousin and firing a gun at a parade.
The Red Sox are winning the winter, but many of us said that last offseason, didn’t we?
Porcello became the face of an ace-less rotation that doomed the Sox to a second consecutive last-place finish. All pitchers are fragile, for one thing, and Price will be 31 in August. Maybe the deal will look like an albatross in the later stages, but the Red Sox are just anxious about the next few seasons in front of them. The lefthander was, without a doubt, the best free-agent starter on the market.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal – the largest ever for a pitcher – is pending a physical.
After missing the postseason for the first time in 14 years, the Yankees opened up the checkbook after 2008, including signing free-agent lefty CC Sabathia to what was then a record contract of $161 million over seven years.
On Tuesday, David Price inked a massive deal with the Boston Red Sox.
So much for Price having reservations about playing in Boston or with Red Sox icon David Ortiz.
Price, 30, began the 2015 season with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays mid-season. In my view, this is a bad contract that years down the road will be something the Red Sox wish they hadn’t done, and will more than likely trade him before it’s over.
Moreover, signing Price to $217 million, though experience in AL and signing Cueto or Zimmerman to figures around $120-140 million is equivalent risk due to Sox overpaying substantially for Price.
Chamberlain spent last season with Detroit, Toronto and Kansas City.
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Price is 30 years old, 6-foot-6, left-handed and battle-tested in the American League East. His postseason numbers aren’t great (2-7, 5.12 ERA), but he’s regarded as an excellent teammate and clubhouse presence. Major league rookies are under team control for their first seven seasons before free agency. Yes, the Red Sox declined to match the Cubs’ offer for their long-time stalwart Lester. Price has been inconsistent, at times struggled with health, struggles in the playoffs, and you make him the highest paid pitcher in history?
