Multiple reports circulated in the past week that the Red Sox would need to unload the money truck in order to sign David Price. Well, the truck just got unloaded: Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have signed David Price to a seven-year, $217 million contract.
This is, by far, the largest free agent contract the Red Sox have ever given a pitcher. It beats Max Scherzer’s seven-year, $210 million deal signed last offseason as the largest ever free agent pitcher contract. Clayton Kershaw’s contract extension with the Dodgers was for $215 million.
Price went 82-47 with a 3.18 ERA pitching in the AL East while with the Tampa Bay Rays. After being traded to the Tigers just before the 2014 trade deadline he went 13-8 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts. He returned to the AL East with the Blue Jays this year, going 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts. He also pitched in the playoffs for the Jays starting three times in four overall appearances.
The Red Sox were in dire need of pitching and they were said to be gunning for Price to fill that need. Target: acquired.