Buchholz Inks 4 Year Extension

Despite an 0-2 record and an ERA of 7.20 to start the season, it came as no surprise that the Boston Red Sox signed right handed pitcher Clay Buchholz to a 4 year contract extension on Sunday.  He is after all, one of the cornerstones that the Red Sox plan on building their future around.  Buchholz along with starting pitcher Jon Lester, third baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia, now all have similar contract extensions worked into place. 

The deal is worth at least $30 million over the four years with two club options, that could see Buchholz make $13 million in the 2016 season and $13.5 million in ’17.

Even though Buchholz has struggled out of the gate this season, the Red Sox know what he is capable of.  Last season he went 17-7 with an ERA of 2.33, good enough for second best in the AL, only behind Felix Hernandez.  The young phenom also threw a no hitter back in 2008, in what was just his second ever Major League start.

While it hasn’t come out yet, one has to believe that with the contract talks on going to start the year, Buchholz was more than a little distracted.  With the extension now worked out and behind him, perhaps Buchholz can focus on what he does best, and that is pitching.

With this extension, the Red Sox now have their top 4 starters, Lester, John Lackey, Josh Beckettand Buchholz,  locked up under contract with the club’s control until 2014.

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