BoSox Injection
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Red Sox have become a franchise where fat contracts go to die

By Rick McNair

Jun 17, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park prior to batting practice before a game between the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park prior to batting practice before a game between the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox had certainly had issues regarding spending wisely. That has now come home to roost with a power outage that can be linked to dead money.

Oct 22, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry on the field during workouts the day before game one of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry on the field during workouts the day before game one of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

A term known as the Elephants’ Graveyard is a mixed blend of fact and fiction. Do the elephants actually know that death is near and have a communal spot to last out their remaining days? I certainly care not to get into any debates over the reasoning of why some remains are found in certain locations. I do know that elephants happen to be the largest land animals.

The Red Sox also have a graveyard where large contracts go to die. The team has managed to accumulate a significant number of contracts that have shown a minimal return, no return and finally the potential to become – like elephants – rather ponderous to the future of the team. That – unfortunately – has already happened.

The Red Sox have a fiscal mandate to stay under the financial Mendoza Line that triggers the luxury tax. So far they have managed to remain under the magic number with some significant assistance from the Philadelphia Phillies, who absorbed the contract of Clay Buchholz – a nice $13 Million off the Red Sox books. Buchholz is gone for the season – at least physically.

The Red Sox fiscal issues have translated into decisions that are impacting the lineup this season. A “Big Bopper” is missing and no real effort took place to replace that vital cog.  Apparently, it all comes down to the money – a interesting turn of events for a normally free-spending organization.

So now a quick look at the Red Sox graveyard of contracts and those are well-known and all are forgettable. Some are (thankfully) a few years away from joining their brethren in the contracts boneyard.

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