Price out with forearm soreness

[Wade Boggs]

I don't understand the panic. Even IF we lose Price for the entire year, we still have one of the best rotations in the league to go with our league leading offense from last year. Sure, we won't have Ortiz. But we outscored the next best AL offense by over 100 runs.

 

225 IP lost

Over 200 K's lost

17W's lost

Taxing the bullpen more

 

Still don't know about Wright or Erod if they can break camp healthy.

 

On a side note , if Price couldn't pitch, he can't opt out after three years. That would mean Sox are stuck with an unproductive Price for seven years. We can say what we want about him. But they will need him. I have been on him a lot . He could pitch better. He has said that. The bullpen scares me the most. That's me though other people may disagree.

[oldtimer]

225 IP lost

Over 200 K's lost

17W's lost

Taxing the bullpen more

 

Still don't know about Wright or Erod if they can break camp healthy.

 

On a side note , if Price couldn't pitch, he can't opt out after three years. That would mean Sox are stuck with an unproductive Price for seven years. We can say what we want about him. But they will need him. I have been on him a lot . He could pitch better. He has said that. The bullpen scares me the most. That's me though other people may disagree.

 

So far the news is good on the Price front but it does show that the whole signing is just a sore arm away from turning into a disaster. I am not a fan of long term high Priced contracts for pitchers. Too much can go wrong.

[notin]

Shut Price down until mid-May at the earliest.

[Kimmi]

Jacko is an MD.

 

I value his insight.

 

His comment is valid.

 

That is all.

 

If this were news about a Yankees pitcher, I'm sure the 'chart' would read differently.

 

I'm just messin' with Jacko. He is one of my favorite Yankees fans.

[Kimmi]

I don't understand the panic. Even IF we lose Price for the entire year, we still have one of the best rotations in the league to go with our league leading offense from last year. Sure, we won't have Ortiz. But we outscored the next best AL offense by over 100 runs.

 

There is no need for panic. IMO, the team would still be a contender if Price were out for the season. That said, the team is much better with a healthy Price than without one.

[Kimmi]

That will most likely happen. Stay behind in FLA. I think throw more. He will build more strength in his arm. Go on a throwing program. It will be step by step. Flat ground, mound, throwing BP, simulated game, maybe rehab assignment if it can be worked out. I think mid April sounds like a plan.

 

When I first read about the injury, I was afraid that he would require TJ surgery, or at least be out for half a season. Of course, that could still happen if his rehab doesn't progress. I would be thrilled if he could get back by the end of April.

[Kimmi]

So far the news is good on the Price front but it does show that the whole signing is just a sore arm away from turning into a disaster. I am not a fan of long term high Priced contracts for pitchers. Too much can go wrong.

 

I am not a fan of these types of contracts either.

 

To be fair, however, I think Price was one of the lesser risky pitchers in his 30s to give such a contract to. I'm not saying it was a good thing to do, but if you're going to do it, Price would be the guy.

[moonslav59]

MLBTR reports....

 

By Jeff Todd | March 3, 2017 at 3:26pm CDT

 

The Red Sox announced some very welcome news on lefty David Price, who was being evaluated for a worrying elbow injury. As Rob Bradford of WEEI.com was among those to report on Twitter, manager John Farrell says that Price is not expected to require surgery or other invasive treatments. Instead, he will be shut down for seven to ten days of treatment before being reevaluated.

 

It’s not immediately clear how soon Price can be expected back on the mound. The injury has been diagnosed as a strain, per Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald (via Twitter), which presumably could have a wide variance in recovery process and timing. Clearly, though, the news comes as a relief to a Boston organization that has much at stake in Price’s left arm — this season and beyond.

 

Alarm bells rang yesterday when the Sox told reporters they were sending Price to be examined by elbow experts Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache. That decision showed that the team had real concern, and raised the specter of a season-ending surgery. Those two physicians, after all, are among the foremost practitioners of the Tommy John procedure. While a visit to their offices often precedes a TJ procedure, though, that’s not always the case.

 

In Price’s situation, it seems, other treatment outcomes were also seen as being on the table. Ferrell noted that the veteran southpaw won’t need an injection, which perhaps would have represented an alternative. As it turns out, the news represents a best-case scenario.

 

Unfortunately, even with that good news, it seems as if Price may fall behind a bit. Unless, perhaps, he’s cleared for a full resumption of this throwing program at the earliest opportunity, Price may need to spend at least a bit of time on the DL to start the season. That wouldn’t be particularly problematic were it not for the fact that Boston is facing similar timing questions already with pitchers such as Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz, though perhaps a fill-in or even an outside addition could help bridge the gap if the need arises.

[Dojji]

So far the news is good on the Price front but it does show that the whole signing is just a sore arm away from turning into a disaster. I am not a fan of long term high Priced contracts for pitchers. Too much can go wrong.

 

If you want to limit your options and guarantee that the team will never have the best veteran pitchers in the league, by all means refuse to pay market price for pitchers.

 

The solution to risks not panning out, is not failing to take risks.

[Fisk]

Sometimes you have to gamble on these type of contracts, realizing the back half probably won't be good. The alternative is developing your own, which the sox have struggled at.

[moonslav59]

Sometimes you have to gamble on these type of contracts, realizing the back half probably won't be good. The alternative is developing your own, which the sox have struggled at.

 

I agree.

 

I did not like paying that much money for that many years for any pitcher, but if you are ever going to take a big gamble, a guy like Price was the one to do it with.

 

Once we lost Lester, we needed an ace. I big gamble was called for.

 

I had hoped for a lesser cost gamble like Cueto, but Price rated to be better (and healthier) going forward.

[Fisk]

I agree.

 

I did not like paying that much money for that many years for any pitcher, but if you are ever going to take a big gamble, a guy like Price was the one to do it with.

 

Once we lost Lester, we needed an ace. I big gamble was called for.

 

I had hoped for a lesser cost gamble like Cueto, but Price rated to be better (and healthier) going forward.

 

I was scared off of Cueto because of concerns on his elbow and his stint with the Royals.

[oldtimer]

Sometimes you have to gamble on these type of contracts, realizing the back half probably won't be good. The alternative is developing your own, which the sox have struggled at.

 

An attitude that suggests there wasn't an option to going 7 years for Price. We let Lester go and could have had him for half the money at 5 years. Perhaps we could have gotten two good pitchers both on shorter contracts and that would have reduced the risk and perhaps increased the upside over the period of the contract. As it is, we got a very good pitcher who is at high risk of not fulfilling the full term of the contract. To me the risk assessment should take those things into account.

[Fisk]

An attitude that suggests there wasn't an option to going 7 years for Price. We let Lester go and could have had him for half the money at 5 years. Perhaps we could have gotten two good pitchers both on shorter contracts and that would have reduced the risk and perhaps increased the upside over the period of the contract. As it is, we got a very good pitcher who is at high risk of not fulfilling the full term of the contract. To me the risk assessment should take those things into account.

 

Any contract is a risk, name those two contracts that would have reduced the risk. Hindsight is very easy.

 

Lester was terrible in 2012, no better then a three in 2013. It's easy to remember the good times with him, but everyone was pretty down on him for a couple of years.

[FredLynn]

MLBTR reports....

 

By Jeff Todd | March 3, 2017 at 3:26pm CDT

 

The Red Sox announced some very welcome news on lefty David Price, who was being evaluated for a worrying elbow injury. As Rob Bradford of WEEI.com was among those to report on Twitter, manager John Farrell says that Price is not expected to require surgery or other invasive treatments. Instead, he will be shut down for seven to ten days of treatment before being reevaluated.

 

It’s not immediately clear how soon Price can be expected back on the mound. The injury has been diagnosed as a strain, per Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald (via Twitter), which presumably could have a wide variance in recovery process and timing. Clearly, though, the news comes as a relief to a Boston organization that has much at stake in Price’s left arm — this season and beyond.

 

Alarm bells rang yesterday when the Sox told reporters they were sending Price to be examined by elbow experts Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache. That decision showed that the team had real concern, and raised the specter of a season-ending surgery. Those two physicians, after all, are among the foremost practitioners of the Tommy John procedure. While a visit to their offices often precedes a TJ procedure, though, that’s not always the case.

 

In Price’s situation, it seems, other treatment outcomes were also seen as being on the table. Ferrell noted that the veteran southpaw won’t need an injection, which perhaps would have represented an alternative. As it turns out, the news represents a best-case scenario.

 

Unfortunately, even with that good news, it seems as if Price may fall behind a bit. Unless, perhaps, he’s cleared for a full resumption of this throwing program at the earliest opportunity, Price may need to spend at least a bit of time on the DL to start the season. That wouldn’t be particularly problematic were it not for the fact that Boston is facing similar timing questions already with pitchers such as Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz, though perhaps a fill-in or even an outside addition could help bridge the gap if the need arises.

 

So there is the diagnosis: a "strain". Is this the kind of strain that lasts a couple of weeks-or is it the kind that lasts 3-4 months? Hope Jacko is satisfied now that everything is cleared up.

[mvp 78]

I'm just scratching my head, that's all. He had terrible elbow pain, a non normal MRI and now just needs 10 days rest? I want the diagnosis. If it's a bursitis or a bone bruise, then you're out of the woods for the most part. If the UCL lit up at all or if the flexor mass was involved, then you're still in the weeds.

 

I agree. This just doesn't feel like a short term issue to me.

[moonslav59]

I was scared off of Cueto because of concerns on his elbow and his stint with the Royals.

 

Yes, Price was the "safer" gamble but at a larger cost..

 

In theory, I hate these type of signings, but I was okay with this one due to our enormous need for an ace and Price's long record of success and health. Plus, it looked like we'd get about 3-4 years of prime out of the 7, and he wasn't going to be 40 his last year.

[moonslav59]

I agree. This just doesn't feel like a short term issue to me.

 

Agreed. I have a sneaky feeling this issue will come back at some point in the next year or two, if not in a few weeks.

[notin]

225 IP lost

Over 200 K's lost

17W's lost

Taxing the bullpen more

 

Still don't know about Wright or Erod if they can break camp healthy.

 

On a side note , if Price couldn't pitch, he can't opt out after three years. That would mean Sox are stuck with an unproductive Price for seven years. We can say what we want about him. But they will need him. I have been on him a lot . He could pitch better. He has said that. The bullpen scares me the most. That's me though other people may disagree.

 

No kidding.

 

In a sport where the best teams win 60% of the time and the worst teams win 40% percent of the time, losing an elite pitcher can be a BIG deal.

 

I do disagree that the Sox bullpen scares me. I think it could be good and the addition of Sale should reduce the workload from it...

[notin]

Any contract is a risk, name those two contracts that would have reduced the risk. Hindsight is very easy.

 

Lester was terrible in 2012, no better then a three in 2013. It's easy to remember the good times with him, but everyone was pretty down on him for a couple of years.

 

The thought of blaming the Price situation (if it had been) on Cherington was always kind of silly. Sure extending Lester might have precluded the need to sign Price, but Lester's future health was just as unknown. It's not like the choices would have been Lester or one of Brett Anderson or Jarrod Parker. And the Sox wouldn't be better off with Lester out for the year instead...

[Fisk]

The thought of blaming the Price situation (if it had been) on Cherington was always kind of silly. Sure extending Lester might have precluded the need to sign Price, but Lester's future health was just as unknown. It's not like the choices would have been Lester or one of Brett Anderson or Jarrod Parker. And the Sox wouldn't be better off with Lester out for the year instead...

 

Agree with you

[TylerD]

Agreed. I have a sneaky feeling this issue will come back at some point in the next year or two, if not in a few weeks.

 

Ya I agree with this but it's tough to say till we get the full report. It could be something as minor as a bit of soreness and just needs rest or it could be more serious. They are being very quiet about it though that's for sure.

[LaLuna]

We're obviously a better team with Price, but we're a contender with or without him. I don't think wins are the best way to judge a pitcher. He had what, a 3.99 ERA last year? What's a replacement level ERA, 4.50? The bullpen would be more taxed but it's not like that's the difference between us being one of the best teams in the AL or not.

[FredLynn]

We're obviously a better team with Price, but we're a contender with or without him. I don't think wins are the best way to judge a pitcher. He had what, a 3.99 ERA last year? What's a replacement level ERA, 4.50? The bullpen would be more taxed but it's not like that's the difference between us being one of the best teams in the AL or not.

 

Good point. Price didn't exactly light it up last year. He was awful for a good part of the year. I think what has people freaking out is not what he has done for the team but what he could have done this year.

[Fisk]

Good point. Price didn't exactly light it up last year. He was awful for a good part of the year. I think what has people freaking out is not what he has done for the team but what he could have done this year.

 

Exactly I was expecting a rebound. Hopefully we still get it.

[harmony]

I wish David Price a speedy recovery but manager John Farrell's statement merely said the lefthander would be re-evaluated after 7 to 10 days of treatment:

 

https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/837783159655784452/photo/1

 

Farrell called it a "best-case scenario" although the best-case scenario would be something like it was a false alarm, a pinched nerve remedied by two hours of physical therapy with Price expected to make his scheduled start on Sunday.

 

The Red Sox would be in a more comfortable position if David Price's contract had the John Lackey clause that granted an extra year of team control at minimal salary in the event of a season-ending injury. Seattle righthander Felix Hernandez, who is younger than Price, has that clause in his current seven-year contract:

 

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2013/2/11/3976794/felix-hernandez-seattle-mariners-contract-extension-elbow-injury

 

Hernandez has at least three years remaining on his contract coming off two down seasons.

 

But again let's hope Price comes back strong this year.

[notin]

Price may not have signed any deal with the Lackey clause. And really, the Sox might not want Price for his age 37 season, even at minimum wage. ..

[Kimmi]

I agree. This just doesn't feel like a short term issue to me.

 

Price says he doesn't want to put a timetable on his return, but the way he's talking, he goes through a similar soreness every spring training. He did say it was more extreme this year, but he also said that the amount of improvement from the 2nd day to the 3rd day (I think), with no treatment, was significant enough that if he felt like that, he wouldn't have even mentioned it. In short, he is sounding very optimistic about a fairly quick return.

 

Of course he could be blowing a lot of smoke, but I'm feeling hopeful that it won't be a prolonged injury.

[Kimmi]

The thought of blaming the Price situation (if it had been) on Cherington was always kind of silly. Sure extending Lester might have precluded the need to sign Price, but Lester's future health was just as unknown. It's not like the choices would have been Lester or one of Brett Anderson or Jarrod Parker. And the Sox wouldn't be better off with Lester out for the year instead...

 

Blaming Cherington for the Price situation is absurd.

 

OTOH, Dombrowski was only able to sign Price because of the great state of the farm system and the number of cost-controlled players already on the major league roster. So maybe Cherington does deserve the blame...

[notin]

Blaming Cherington for the Price situation is absurd.

 

OTOH, Dombrowski was only able to sign Price because of the great state of the farm system and the number of cost-controlled players already on the major league roster. So maybe Cherington does deserve the blame...

 

I say give Price extended spring training or whatever. Keep his innings down this year to may be 170-180. Then if he can still stay healthy, maybe he won't pitch so poorly in the post-season. ..