Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
According to Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican, the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a one-year MLB contract with left-handed pitcher Chris Capuano. Capuano will make a guaranteed $2.5 million, but has incentives built into the contract that could earn Capuano up to $5 million.
In 105 and 2/3 innings last season in Dodger Blue, Capuano compiled a 4-7 record, complemented by a 4.26 ERA and 3.55 FIP. His career numbers are very similar to his most recent campaign, and in nine seasons in the big’s, Capuano sported a solid 4.27 ERA and 4.25 FIP.
The Moye Sports Associate client has pitched for Diamondbacks, Brewers, Mets, and Dodgers, so this year in Beantown will be the fifth team that he has been a member of. His best season in the major’s came in 2006 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, and in that year Capuano was selected to his participate in his lone All-Star game.
The Red Sox have been reportedly interested in the southpaw, ever since veteran Ryan Dempster announced that he did not plan to pitch in the 2014 season. The departure cleared nearly $15 million off of the payroll, along with creating room for another pitcher to come into the fold. Although, the Red Sox do have a strong 1-5 in the rotation, and it seems likely that Capuano will transition into a long relief/spot starter role, which Dempster was expected to fill.
This was a non-costly acquisition that just bolsters the already extensive pitching depth that the defending World Champions possess. Overall, even if the move does not pan out, still, it was only a one-year deal, so no harm, no foul, as opposed to if the Red Sox pursued Santana and the lavish contract that he is expecting.