Porcello is a solid pitcher, but this is not a real value contract. He may perform up to the level of this contract, but I doubt that will outperform the value of his contract. There is a downside here -- that he doesn't ever perform like an elite $20 million pitcher. There is also the possibility that he performs at the elite level an earns his money. I see little probability that he outperforms the contract value. In my book, there is downside risk, with little possibility of upside reward. Also, this contract probably precludes the Red Sox from making a serious bid for the next group of top FA pitchers.