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Multiple reports have surfaced recently that the Boston Red Sox are the favorite to land prized free-agent starter David Price. The Red Sox — a team in desperate need of a top-of-the-line starter — are a perfect fit for the ace Price, and are one of the few teams that have the funds to be able to put together a contract to reel him in. Price would all but solve their rotation woes and improve other starters such as Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Clay Buchholz simply with his presence. However, with the Red Sox already dishing out multi-year $19 million per year contracts to Porcello, Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez recently, it raises this question: How far will new president Dave Dombrowski go in his efforts to sign Price?
While Boston is already undoubtedly seeking to be able to win immediately next season, at the same time they’ve built what is according to many the top farm system in baseball, which includes many young talented position players and pitchers. That gives the Red Sox flexibility financially in 2016, but thinking towards the future, if Boston dishes out a seven-year deal to Price worth near $210 million, will they have the funds to retain some of their young stars set to be due for contract extensions? After Ramirez, Sandoval and Porcello’s deals, signing Price to $30 million annually would certainly tie Boston’s hands; it’s not like any of these contracts are coming off of the books anytime soon. Plus, the major contracts the Red Sox have handed out recently have not worked out, and they’re just one year in. Porcello went just 9-15 with a 4.92 ERA after receiving a four-year, $82 million contract last offseason. And Ramirez and Sandoval each hit under .246 following their major contracts, not to mention Ramirez was a major liability defensively and in the clubhouse. So who’s to say handing Price $30 million a year would even work out?
Although Price is a clear ace, and between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays last season he went a stellar 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA, he previously had not been as good. Price has a career ERA of 3.09 which is outstanding, but is it $210 million material? He had a 3.59 combined ERA in 2014, and 3.11 in 2013. In fact, aside from 2015, Price’s ERA hasn’t dipped below three since back in 2012. However, don’t get me wrong; Price is an ace and one of the best pitchers in baseball. My question is just if a team like the Red Sox, which is already over $152 million in payroll with just 12 contracts guaranteed, should be the ones to give Price $210 million.
Again, the Red Sox certainly are correct to look to win in 2016, but their deep farm system and outfield depth gives them more options than dishing out another major deal to a free-agent. After signing outfielder Chris Young on Monday, the Red Sox now have an overcrowded outfield of Rusney Castillo, 2015 All-Star Brock Holt, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Young. With their top ranked minor league system, Boston could deal some of their surplus of young talent in exchange for a top starter.
Whether the Red Sox will go as far as $210 million to haul Price is still something that has yet to be seen. But given the team’s financial state, and farm system, it may be the best course of action for Dombrowski and company to explore anterior options in filling the needed hole of an ace for their rotation.
