Sox sign Garrett Richards, pending physical

[illinoisredsox]

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/01/garrett-richards-boston-red-sox-agree-to-one-year-10-million-contract.html

[mvp 78]

Big if true

[Sox75]

....but health has been a major issue. Going back to 2016 through 2019, he made more than six starts just once in that stretch and hasn’t topped 76 1⁄3 innings. The 32-year-old (he’ll turn 33 in May) was healthy for the shortened 2020 season, tossing 51 1⁄3 innings with a 4.03 ERA, 46 strikeouts and 17 walks. He leaned heavily on his fastball and....

 

Let's hope he can stay healthy!

 

Then, perhaps we got a bargain.

 

If not, I suppose we got a poor man's Sale for a no risk short term contract?

[jacksonianmarch]

This is a genius deal. It only costs money, you’ve got an option attached and if he’s great, you can deal him for a haul or run it back in 22. If he sucks, cut him loose after 21

[moonslav59]

This is a genius deal. It only costs money, you’ve got an option attached and if he’s great, you can deal him for a haul or run it back in 22. If he sucks, cut him loose after 21

 

Although we need an injury-prone starter like a hole in the head, I kinda agree.

 

This guy has extremely high upside, even if as trade bait, this summer.

 

I wanted Odorizzi, but he's not exactly a slam dunk starter, and he'll get 3+ years.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Although we need an injury-prone starter like a hole in the head, I kinda agree.

 

This guy has extremely high upside, even if as trade bait, this summer.

 

I wanted Odorizzi, but he's not exactly a slam dunk starter, and he'll get 3+ years.

 

I still want Odorizzi; it doesn't matter if the Sox stockpile seven or eight question mark starters... not when Martin Perez will still be the only sure thing in the rotation.

[Nick]

I still want Odorizzi; it doesn't matter if the Sox stockpile seven or eight question mark starters... not when Martin Perez will still be the only sure thing in the rotation.

 

As long as it's not a long term deal I'd agree even thought I don't think it's in Bloom's DNA to add another $10M starter at this point.

 

You have to give the team chance to stay in the ball game for 5 innings.

[Thunder]

I think this is the best signing off the offseason so far in terms of the contract, like jacko mentioned. If he works out, great. If not, oh well, see you later. Won't cost us that much. He has always had potential if he could just stay on the field.

[notin]

Ok but the Sox still need a reliever (or two, IMHO) and a CF.

 

Now if the $30 mill budget was accuate, that leaves $13 mill plus whatever was deferred in Hernandez’ deal...

[Bellhorn04]

Ok but the Sox still need a reliever (or two, IMHO) and a CF.

 

Now if the $30 mill budget was accuate, that leaves $13 mill plus whatever was deferred in Hernandez’ deal...

 

They're going over, I think. Bloom has been working on JH to loosen up and have fun.

[notin]

They're going over, I think. Bloom has been working on JH to loosen up and have fun.

 

So you’re saying Bloom is like that friend in high school who was on Honor Society but got half of them to try weed?

[moonslav59]

I still want Odorizzi; it doesn't matter if the Sox stockpile seven or eight question mark starters... not when Martin Perez will still be the only sure thing in the rotation.

 

I do, too, but I now give the chances we sign Odorizzi at less than 1%.

 

I guess we could trade Pivetta or even Eovaldi, but I doubt that is even being discussed.

[moonslav59]

Ok but the Sox still need a reliever (or two, IMHO) and a CF.

 

Now if the $30 mill budget was accuate, that leaves $13 mill plus whatever was deferred in Hernandez’ deal...

 

We could trade Beni for prospects and be up to about $20M. That could maybe get us Odorizzi ($13M) & Colome ($7M). I seriously doubt this is the plan, but if we traded Beni & Pivetta for a good CF'er, the roster could look pretty good.

[moonslav59]

Ok but the Sox still need a reliever (or two, IMHO) and a CF.

 

Now if the $30 mill budget was accurate, that leaves $13 mill plus whatever was deferred in Hernandez’ deal...

 

I doubt we sign 2 RP'er. Our need for a closer is too great to split the budget for the pen in two. I guess we could go real cheap at CF (Marisnick) and sign Colome and another decent RP'er, but for some reason, I think Bloom & Co are happy with our pen and pen depth.

[notin]

I doubt we sign 2 RP'er. Our need for a closer is too great to split the budget for the pen in two. I guess we could go real cheap at CF (Marisnick) and sign Colome and another decent RP'er, but for some reason, I think Bloom & Co are happy with our pen and pen depth.

 

 

I’d like to see them sign enough pitchers to push Brice and Valdez to Worcester. (Does Brice have options? If not, then DFA.)

[mvp 78]

I doubt we sign 2 RP'er. Our need for a closer is too great to split the budget for the pen in two. I guess we could go real cheap at CF (Marisnick) and sign Colome and another decent RP'er, but for some reason, I think Bloom & Co are happy with our pen and pen depth.

 

Sign Workman as a closer and add another arm?

[mvp 78]

They're going over, I think. Bloom has been working on JH to loosen up and have fun.

 

Can probably go back under when JD is off books.

[a700hitter]

Sign Workman as a closer and add another arm?

Workman had a career year in 2019. He’s not closer material.

[Bellhorn04]

Can probably go back under when JD is off books.

 

At the end of 2022, JD, Eovaldi and Price's 16 mill all come off the books.

 

The only long term contracts on the books after 2022 are Sale and Bogey, and Bogey has an opt-out.

[Nick]

At the end of 2022, JD, Eovaldi and Price's 16 mill all come off the books.

 

The only long term contracts on the books after 2022 are Sale and Bogey, and Bogey has an opt-out.

 

It would be nice if couple of youngsters can step in for 2023

 

Mata, Houck, Seabold, Casas, Downs, Duran just to name a few.

[moonslav59]

I’d like to see them sign enough pitchers to push Brice and Valdez to Worcester. (Does Brice have options? If not, then DFA.)

 

soxprospects.com has Brice as being out of options.

 

I'm not sure what Bloom sees in him, and I doubt they DFA him, but I agree with your idea.

 

I'd start Houck and Valdez in AAA.

 

Let's get an extra year of team control on Houck and limit his IP at the same time.

[moonslav59]

At the end of 2022, JD, Eovaldi and Price's 16 mill all come off the books.

 

The only long term contracts on the books after 2022 are Sale and Bogey, and Bogey has an opt-out.

 

All the more reason to think about going way over the lux tax line next winter.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It would be nice if couple of youngsters can step in for 2023

 

Mata, Houck, Seabold, Casas, Downs, Duran just to name a few.

 

If we don't see most of them by '22 it means the Sox either suddenly spent big on others, or most of the injured/ill/"potential" players on the '21 roster stayed healthy and had breakout seasons -- simultaneously...

[vegasbob]

Watched Garrett Richards pitch enough for the Angels (2011-2018) to know that this signing, while filling an opening, is a flip-a-coin on whether he will be significantly helpful or mediocre watching fast balls fly over the Monster.

[Nick]

soxprospects.com has Brice as being out of options.

 

I'm not sure what Bloom sees in him, and I doubt they DFA him, but I agree with your idea.

 

I'd start Houck and Valdez in AAA.

 

Let's get an extra year of team control on Houck and limit his IP at the same time.

 

Houck has 36 days accumulated. He needs 172 days or 136 days in 2021. Looks like there are 186 days available in 2021. We need to hold him off until May 22nd. Doable.

[moonslav59]

Houck has 36 days accumulated. He needs 172 days or 136 days in 2021. Looks like there are 186 days available in 2021. We need to hold him off until May 22nd. Doable.

 

Thanks for the specifics.

 

Since we probably want to keep him under 120-140 IP, too, it makes sense to keep him at AAA for a couple months. It may not be April and May, as Sale & ERod will likely start the season on the IL, and Eovaldi is always a coin toss. We may end up sending him down, once a starter comes off the IL.

[Nick]

Thanks for the specifics.

 

Since we probably want to keep him under 120-140 IP, too, it makes sense to keep him at AAA for a couple months. It may not be April and May, as Sale & ERod will likely start the season on the IL, and Eovaldi is always a coin toss. We may end up sending him down, once a starter comes off the IL.

 

Good point....he still has all three options.

[Nick]

Cot's baseball now has posted Richard' contract in the mix....

 

Sox's competitive balance payroll now stands at $195.5M. We have little over $14M.....who can we buy?

Edited January 24, 2021 by Nick

[moonslav59]

Cot's baseball now has posted Richard' contract in the mix....

 

Sox's competitive balance payroll now stands at $195.5M. We have little over $14M.....who can we buy?

 

Colome & Pillar

[Nick]

Colome & Pillar

 

I'd be thrilled....