2. David Price will be a Cy Young candidate
Josh Beckett, Rick Porcello, Hanley Ramirez and David Price, the list goes on and on of notable MLB stars coming over to Boston and struggling in there first year of a big contract. All of those guys came back to have monster years in their second season, and I expect nothing less for David Price.
Price didn’t have a ‘terrible’ year statistically (17-9, 3.99 ERA, 228 K’s and a 1.20 WHIP) especially in the AL East; however, Price lacked consistency as the number one starter and wasn’t the ‘true ace’ Boston signed him to be.
Obviously, the thing with Price is his ability to pitch poorly in the postseason, but with the addition of Chris Sale and Rick Porcello coming off a Cy-Young award, this can allow the pressure to be taken off Price.
As far as Price’s regular season numbers go, we know what he is totally capable of. I could realistically see Price be a 20 game winner with a sub three era that punches out 230+ guys to anchor Boston’s staff with Sale and Porcello and lead Boston to the promise land.