The BoSox Injection staff reflects on the 2016 season by grading each member of the Boston Red Sox based on expectations for them entering the season.
It has been just about nine months since the Boston Red Sox signed David Price to the biggest contract a pitcher has ever signed in Major League history.
Price was brought in to bring this team to October and then unleash all the playoff wins he ‘saved’ for the Red Sox.
Well, he got us to October but then continued to prove that he still can’t pitch when the lights are brighter in October, adding to his dreadful 0-8 postseason record as a starter.
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The lefty was inconsistent at times but still had a respectable 17-9 record with a 3.99 ERA. However, In Game 2 when the Red Sox needed their so called ‘ace’ the most, Price failed miserably giving up five runs over just three and a third innings on the way to being swept by the Cleveland Indians.
Price started off terrible in April and May, going 7-1 but with a 5.19 ERA. During the summer months, we saw the David Price we knew, going 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA and then showed signs of weakness towards the end of the season. Price finished with respectable numbers as a No. 2 starter. The problem there is that he is making $31 million a year and is not paid to be a No. 2 starter.
Price has some red flags surrounding him. He’s 31, his velocity was down all season, walk and strikeout ratio were all career lows as well. However, Price seems to be healthy and is obviously super hard on himself. He doesn’t want to stink, he took responsibility for not being himself this season, but how long will it take until the lefty lives up to his expectations?
Will he be another Daisuke Matsuzaka or J.D. Drew? Or be like Rick Porcello and Josh Beckett who struggled in their first year in Boston and then went on to be Cy Young candidates the following season?
Grade: B
Next: Red Sox need sand in 2017
What’s Next?
Listen Red Sox Nation, I know this wasn’t the year we hoped for as far as expectations went for Price but the lefty WILL return to form next season. Price had some bright spots this season and although his numbers weren’t ‘ace material’ the lefty did eat up 230 innings, which was very helpful for the Sox down the stretch. Also, the lefty (knock on wood) has been healthy his whole career and has never had any sort of arm problems. Yes, his velocity was down this year but the rate wasn’t too alarming and his strike out ratio was above his career average.
As far as next season goes, expect David Price to be the man we signed him to be. He’ll be the ace we know he is and will be a Cy Young candidate. Mark my words.