NEWSLETTER
We’ll have to unpack this so much more in the coming days, because the implications are wide-reaching for obvious reasons.
But, for now, the report: Pete Abraham reports that the Red Sox have agreed to sign ace lefty David Price for seven years and $217 million – or one million per year more than Max Scherzer got last year from the Nationals. Ken Rosenthal adds that Price can opt out after three years.
In recent days, it became clearer and clearer that the Cubs were not likely to go to this level on Price, and the fit with the Red Sox – and their willingness to blow away the field – was probably going to be too much.
Price’s price tag comes in about where everyone was expecting, so there shouldn’t be much market impact in that regard. Further, he goes to a team that was always going to be in on the top starting pitchers, so there’s no shocking market movement there, either.
For the Cubs, they’ll now resume – indeed, had probably already long resumed – turning their attentions elsewhere. Zack Greinke, too, seems unlikely at this point, so it’s going to be the middle tier of starters and trades for the Cubs. Thankfully, there are so many interesting options and roster angles there for the Cubs that I have to admit: I’m really not all that bothered by this Price news. Best of luck to him in Boston. For me, an ideal Cubs offseason involves them landing a controlled, younger pitcher in trade, signing a mid-tier guy like Jeff Samardzija or John Lackey, and signing/acquiring a quality outfielder (plus, you know, typical annual ancillary depth stuff). That’s all still very much on the table.
Wow. That happened fast. I’m now wondering what else is going to shake loose this week …
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