Red Sox free agent success and failure
Apr 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) reacts after receiving his 2013 World Series ring before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The free agent season is with us and names will surface regarding whom the Red Sox should dump untold riches upon. Contracts that simply have an inordinate about of zeros to the right of any number between one and nine. The high profile ones such as David Price could receive upwards to $200,000,000 million.
The Red Sox have long invested in purchasing talent and that was well before free agency existed. Tom Yawkey pilfered as many stars as possible during the depression from clubs that were existing week to week. Yawkey, arguably one of the ten wealthiest Americans, brought Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove to Boston. Even Joe Cronin arrived after being sold off by his father-in-law, Clark Griffith.
Yawkey continued in the spirit of overpaying during the bonus baby era of the 1950s, when young prospects – most notably high school phenoms – were handed enormous contracts. Few surfaced in Boston for even a pedestrian career.
When free agency was being a distinct possibility Yawkey jumped into the fray by attempting to purchase several players from the Oakland Athletics. When that was prevented by the commissioner it became a matter of waiting for the real free agent market conditions to exist. The Red Sox have been consistent players since then.
With the contract comes a risk and some have been such dogs you would need a kennel the size of Texas to house them. But there are also gems and some are real low-end signings such as Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz – Ortiz was actually a non-tendered. However, my focus is on the public ones that get the real press notice. These are but a few that I remember and in 2016 a few may be signed that will be included somewhere.
I will leave out current players (except two) and international signings.
May 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former player Manny Ramirez (right center) embraces fellow former player Johnny Damon (left center) after throwing out the first pitch before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Best
Johnny Damon: Damon signed a four-year deal in excess of 30 million and earned every baseball penny of it. With Damon, you never got cheated with an at-bat or in the field. A key ingredient in the recipe for curse-busting that came out of the oven in 2004. Damon average 150 games in his four years in Boston slashing .295/.312/.441.
Manny Ramirez: Manny being Manny. Thankfully the multiple PED issues came after his Boston years. Manny was quite possibly the most feared right-hand bat in MLB for ten years. In Boston for eight seasons, Manny slashed .312/.411/.588 with 274 home runs and 868 RBI. Manny’s contract was one of the steepest in baseball and the Henry ownership even had Manny on waivers in hopes someone would pick up the bill.
Jeff Reardon: Points are given for being local. Reardon was 34-years-old when he signed a three-year for seven million. Reardon bagged 88 saves in those three seasons.
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Tony Pena: I loved this signing. Pena was paid seven million over four years and just defensively it was money well spent. The slash line may not impress at .234/.290/.313, but this was one stalwart behind the plate.
Bill Mueller: Mueller was working on rotting pins as his knees were as fragile as a Faberge Egg. The Red Sox took a risk on the switch-hitter and paid seven million over three years and the returns were immediate with a batting crown in 2013. Mueller was around every big play that seemed to happen in the post season. Red Sox slash was .303/.378/.474 in 406 games. Toss in .429 against the Cards in 2004. A final curtain call with the Dodgers and the knees and Mueller were done.
May 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher Keith Foulke walks on the field as part of the 10 year celebration of the 2004 Boston Red Sox before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Middle:
J.D. Drew: At first blush, I consider Drew a monumental failure. Five years and 70 Million for what was supposed to be a run producer. The nickname of “Day-to-Day” Drew certainly applied. As far as run production? Never topped 68 RBI. But Drew did a competent job on defense and the at-bats were worthy. If this contract was for half that amount it would be a good deal.
Keith Foulke: Just that one season was enough to cement his place in Red Sox history. The signing went south when Foulke’s arm went lame.
Bill Campbell: Five years and one million is simply pocket change today, but in 1977 this was big bucks. That first Boston season was remarkable with a 13-9 record and 2.96 ERA. “Soup” led the American League in saves (31) and was never the same. Why? How about 140 innings pitched in 1977.
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Tom Gordon: Another arm that got burned out. Gordon was signed for five years and somewhere in the vicinity of 17 million. Originally a starter, he was converted to the bullpen and led the American League in saves (46) in 1998. After sitting out 2000, Gordon went on for another ten seasons. Nothing spectacular after that great 1998.
Mike Torrez: The Red Sox brought Torrez over from the Yankees. Great to beat out New York. Five years and two million, but Torrez did go 60-54 in Boston. Bucky Dent loves the guy.
The Wrecks:
Sep 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; General view of the field box seats prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Clement: Clement actually looked like a prize in his first season when he started out 10-2 and made the All-Star Team. A horrific ball off the noggin put a damper on that 2005 season and 2006 saw shoulder surgery and done. Three years and 27 million for 18-11 and 5.09 ERA.
Matt Young: Maybe best to avoid the name, Matt? Young lost 18 games for Seattle, but that didn’t stop the Red Sox from handing a two-year and five million deal to the left-hander. There is a saying that “Even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.” Young did with a no-hitter – that via circumstance was not in the win column. Young allowed two runs on seven walks, so the game has an asterisk for being an eight-inning no hitter.
Julio Lugo: What was the fascination with Lugo? This was some type of baseball centerfold to Red Sox management and fold he did with a slash of .251/.319/.346.
Jose Offerman: Jose made the All-Star team his first season in Boston, which should give that selection process about as much sense as running quantum physics classes at Attica. His post-playing days tell it all. A real train wreck at four years and 25 million. Loved the nickname: “Awfulman.”
Edgar Renteria: And speaking of wrecks! Is Boston still paying for this contract? There may have been some “personal issues” with Renteria’s stay in Boston, but I will not infringe upon TMZ. Over weight and error prone. Maybe there is legitimacy to “Some can’t play in Boston?”
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Skip Lockwood. Lockwood was coming home to his native Massachusetts after a great season (2-5, 1.49) with the Mets as a bullpen specialist. The two-year deal resulted in one year of playing time that was forgettable for the Red Sox and the 33-year-old Lockwood. That was Lockwood’s last season in MLB.