Sox extend Whitlock

[jacksonianmarch]

Can be worth up to $44 mil over 6 years

[notin]

That’s not a bad deal at all if he stays healthy.

 

Unlike other expensive pitching contracts, even if Whitlock pitches like a #3 or #4 starter, he is paid like one anyway and leaves room for more expensive pitchers or isn’t priced out of the trade market…

[jacksonianmarch]

It’s not a bad deal, but health is not guaranteed and for a guy who they’re using as a swing reliever, the likelihood of reinjury is high. I think this deal is a precursor to a move into the rotation, honestly

[notin]

It’s not a bad deal, but health is not guaranteed and for a guy who they’re using as a swing reliever, the likelihood of reinjury is high. I think this deal is a precursor to a move into the rotation, honestly

 

As much as I want Houck/Whitlock securing the pen, I suspect both will be full time starters by 2023…

[jacksonianmarch]

Bloom is all about maximizing value. This deal is for a lights out reliever. If Whitlock becomes a reliable starter, then this deal is a f***ing home run

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bloom is all about maximizing value. This deal is for a lights out reliever. If Whitlock becomes a reliable starter, then this deal is a f***ing home run

 

These kinds of signings are the master plan. Promote a prospect, wait until he proves himself, then lock him up; those will be the longterm investments Bloom will make as he puts in place the core of his sustained contenders. None of them will require 12-year contracts for half a billion dollars.

[moonslav59]

These kinds of signings are the master plan. Promote a prospect, wait until he proves himself, then lock him up; those will be the longterm investments Bloom will make as he puts in place the core of his sustained contenders. None of them will require 12-year contracts for half a billion dollars.

 

Except this is not really a "long term investment."

 

Didn't Whitlock still have 5 years of team control remaining? 2 pre-arb and 3 arbs?

 

This is really a one year extension and takes away arb year estimating and haggling.

 

Don't get me wrong. I like this deal, but we didn't really add much.

[Bellhorn04]

Except this is not really a "long term investment."

 

Didn't Whitlock still have 5 years of team control remaining? 2 pre-arb and 3 arbs?

 

This is really a one year extension and takes away arb year estimating and haggling.

 

Don't get me wrong. I like this deal, but we didn't really add much.

 

No, it's better than that. The Red Sox have team options for 2027 and 2028, which would be his first two years of free agency. And the buyouts for the two years are small.

 

You have to dig into the details of it.

[a700hitter]

Except this is not really a "long term investment."

 

Didn't Whitlock still have 5 years of team control remaining? 2 pre-arb and 3 arbs?

 

This is really a one year extension and takes away arb year estimating and haggling.

 

Don't get me wrong. I like this deal, but we didn't really add much.

puzzling move by Bloom.

[Bellhorn04]

puzzling move by Bloom.

 

Not really. We tacked on two years of control.

[Bellhorn04]

Upfront signing bonus of $1 million

2023: $1 million

2024: $3.25 million

2025: $5.25 million

2026: $7.25 million

2027 (club option) $8.25 million with $1 million buyout

2028 (club option) $10.5 million with $500k buyout

 

Total guarantee, not including Whitlock’s $720,000 salary in 2022, $18.75 million

Option salaries can escalate by up to $2.5 million each for significant innings pitched in previous years (some cumulative over 2023-26, some in immediate prior year) and for award recognition. Maximum total escalation is $4 million per year.

[Nick]

Upfront signing bonus of $1 million

2023: $1 million

2024: $3.25 million

2025: $5.25 million

2026: $7.25 million

2027 (club option) $8.25 million with $1 million buyout

2028 (club option) $10.5 million with $500k buyout

 

Total guarantee, not including Whitlock’s $720,000 salary in 2022, $18.75 million

Option salaries can escalate by up to $2.5 million each for significant innings pitched in previous years (some cumulative over 2023-26, some in immediate prior year) and for award recognition. Maximum total escalation is $4 million per year.

 

It's a great deal for Sox. We now control Whitlock for 7 more years beginning 2022.

 

Quit worrying about extending Xander at $30M. It's about signing Story at $23M for 6 years to hedge vs Xander leaving or asking for the moon. Same goes for Devers. If Dalbec can hit the way he did the last two months of 2021, then we have 3B, SS and 1B covered.

 

It's unrealistic to have 2 $30M infielders on left side along with a $23M 2B. No way that happens.

[a700hitter]

Not really. We tacked on two years of control.

It still puzzles me. take the 3 years of control and hope for the best with no financial risk.

[moonslav59]

No, it's better than that. The Red Sox have team options for 2027 and 2028, which would be his first two years of free agency. And the buyouts for the two years are small.

 

You have to dig into the details of it.

 

Okay! I did not know that part. This is much better.

 

3 years beyond arb control is nice. I'm still not sure I'd call it long term.

[Old Red]

Okay! I did not know that part. This is much better.

 

3 years beyond arb control is nice. I'm still not sure I'd call it long term.

 

The fact that he could be locked up through 2028 is long term, and no messing around with arbitration is good too.

[notin]

It still puzzles me. take the 3 years of control and hope for the best with no financial risk.

 

If he moves to the rotation, they definitely save money over his likely arbitration raises. Probably also true if he closes…

[Nick]

Okay! I did not know that part. This is much better.

 

3 years beyond arb control is nice. I'm still not sure I'd call it long term.

 

Wrong. It's 2 years beyond arb control. Basically its a four year deal starting next year (yrs 3, 4, 5 and 6 for Whitlock) PLUS 2 years of club options.

 

Having a player for 8 years (counting last year) is a long term deal in today's world.

[Larry Cook]

This is a smart move by Hang’em Chaim.

 

Hang’em Chaim is really stringing together quite a few good moves for the Boston club, improving the desolate post desperate Dave minor league system and making solid draft picks!

 

He may not be a Ben cherrington when it comes to building a minor league system and he may not be a desperate Dave when it comes to stockpiling talent on the Boston roster, but when it comes to building a perennially solid team with organizational depth, he appears to be almost as good as Theo!

 

I say we keep letting him drive the bus. I like where we are headed.

[Bellhorn04]

It's a beautiful deal, really. Whitlock gets financial security, the Sox potentially get a bargain, and have a lot of control with those 2 team options and low buyouts.

 

Nice work by Bloom IMHO

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's a beautiful deal, really. Whitlock gets financial security, the Sox potentially get a bargain, and have a lot of control with those 2 team options and low buyouts.

 

Nice work by Bloom IMHO

 

One scribe compared it to the Tampa contract with Wander Franco.

 

I'm not going to say it...

[notin]

One scribe compared it to the Tampa contract with Wander Franco.

 

I'm not going to say it...

 

It is similar in the amount of service time each player had. Beyond that, I don’t see it…

[Bellhorn04]

It is similar in the amount of service time each player had. Beyond that, I don’t see it…

 

Franco is guaranteed 182 mill

Whitlock is guaranteed 18.75 mill

 

It's no wonder 5 GG's has to restrain the urge to be sardonic.

[mvp 78]

Franco is guaranteed 182 mill

Whitlock is guaranteed 18.75 mill

 

It's no wonder 5 GG's has to restrain the urge to be sardonic.

 

Just move the decimal over one place and it's a one to one deal. That's just one digit. No biggy.

[moonslav59]

Wrong. It's 2 years beyond arb control. Basically its a four year deal starting next year (yrs 3, 4, 5 and 6 for Whitlock) PLUS 2 years of club options.

 

Having a player for 8 years (counting last year) is a long term deal in today's world.

 

We had him for 6 years. I don't see adding 2 years as being called "long-term."

 

One could say the 6 years were "long term" to begin with." A 2 year extension is not long term, IMO.

 

I'm fine with you and other thinking it became long term by adding 2 years. It's nice deal, no matter how we word it.

[Nick]

We had him for 6 years. I don't see adding 2 years as being called "long-term."

 

One could say the 6 years were "long term" to begin with." A 2 year extension is not long term, IMO.

 

I'm fine with you and other thinking it became long term by adding 2 years. It's nice deal, no matter how we word it.

 

You are correct Moon. With opt outs and players wanting to get as much as they can (opt outs) and yet have the protection against subpar/injuries years, it's refreshing to see Whitlock's deal.

 

He's with us for seven years counting this year. Much of that has to do with Sox able to get a full year of service in his rookie year.

 

This is why I'm rooting for Houck and Dalbec. I want to see Casas join the team as soon as he's unable to get a full year of service this year.

[moonslav59]

You are correct Moon. With opt outs and players wanting to get as much as they can (opt outs) and yet have the protection against subpar/injuries years, it's refreshing to see Whitlock's deal.

 

He's with us for seven years counting this year. Much of that has to do with Sox able to get a full year of service in his rookie year.

 

This is why I'm rooting for Houck and Dalbec. I want to see Casas join the team as soon as he's unable to get a full year of service this year.

 

I agree, and I'm thrilled to see younger players making an impact or possibly about to.

[dgalehouse]

This is a smart move by Hang’em Chaim.

 

Hang’em Chaim is really stringing together quite a few good moves for the Boston club, improving the desolate post desperate Dave minor league system and making solid draft picks!

 

He may not be a Ben cherrington when it comes to building a minor league system and he may not be a desperate Dave when it comes to stockpiling talent on the Boston roster, but when it comes to building a perennially solid team with organizational depth, he appears to be almost as good as Theo!

 

I say we keep letting him drive the bus. I like where we are headed.

 

At some point, liking Bloom's style is not going to be enough. There is a bottom line reality. This is his third year. So far , he has a fifth place finish and a tied for second and third place finish. Hopefully, we do win the division soon. Maybe this year? How long of a leash does he have without winning at least the division? Four years? Five?

[moonslav59]

At some point, liking Bloom's style is not going to be enough. There is a bottom line reality. This is his third year. So far , he has a fifth place finish and a tied for second and third place finish. Hopefully, we do win the division soon. Maybe this year? How long of a leash does he have without winning at least the division? Four years? Five?

 

Reality is he was handed a weak farm and bottom of the 40 man roster (like the bottom 18 slots) and a tight new spending budget.

 

The checkbook was opened, this winter, so the clock starts ticking now.

 

Blaming Bloom for 2020 and the over performing 2021 season is short-sighted.

[Bellhorn04]

At some point, liking Bloom's style is not going to be enough. There is a bottom line reality. This is his third year. So far , he has a fifth place finish and a tied for second and third place finish. Hopefully, we do win the division soon. Maybe this year? How long of a leash does he have without winning at least the division? Four years? Five?

 

Amazingly enough, the Red Sox only won the division once under Theo in 9 seasons, and it was in his 5th season.

 

I don't think winning the division is necessarily the real barometer of success.

[Larry Cook]

Amazingly enough, the Red Sox only won the division once under Theo in 9 seasons, and it was in his 5th season.

 

I don't think winning the division is necessarily the real barometer of success.

 

The ring is the thing!