Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) host Karl Ravech (@KarlRavechESPN) and ESPN MLB analysts Pedro Gomez (@PedroGomezESPN), Jessica Mendoza (@JessMendoza), and Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) give their perspective on this week’s news about the signing of David Price by the Boston Red Sox.
Karl Ravech:
“This is a move that makes little sense financially and yet all the sense in the world competitively. The void was so glaring at the top of the rotation last season, it was not possible to have the same narrative and likely the same results two years in a row.
Price is a high quality ace with high character and experience in the division. I am more of a four or five year person when it comes to committing money to a 30 year old pitcher but the Red Sox had a need and Price fills it. Are there any more Vanderbilt pitchers available?”
Pedro Gomez:
“Like any huge contract, there are risks involved, especially for pitchers who have already turned 30. But one thing we’ve seen from David Price is his ability to take the ball every five days. He has been one of the most resilient pitchers of the last decade and I’m sure that’s what the Red Sox are counting on. When he takes the mound, he has consistently shown that he is a winning pitcher on most nights.”
Jessica Mendoza:
“David Price brings balance to a team that showed they could bring the offense on the other side (4th in AL in batting average & RBI’s). His biggest challenge will be the pressures big money in a big market will bring, but he has the right mindset and work ethic to handle it.”
Buster Olney:
“…The addition of David Price now gives the Red Sox exactly what they need. Last year, Boston ranked 24th in rotation ERA, at 4.39, and with Price now moving to the head of the line, the Red Sox rotation looks very different – potentially much better, and deep in quality.
…The Red Sox have an excellent offense that finished fourth in the majors in runs last season, and with Price and Craig Kimbrel added, Boston has become a candidate to go worst-to-first, again.” (See Olney’s full article on ESPN MLB Insider
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Media contacts: Michael Skarka at michael.skarka@espn.com or (860)766-1342 (@Michael_ESPN)
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