Stewart: Why You Should Love Red Sox' David Price Signing
By James Stewart, 98.5 The Sports Hub
BOSTON (CBS) -- David Price is a clubhouse leader, he's the ace that the Red Sox need, and he's the best pitcher that was available on the market.
And the Red Sox went out and got him!
If you're a Red Sox fan, you should love this signing.
AL East History
His history against the AL East is excellent: 49-21 with a 3.17 ERA, that includes a 16-2 record and 2.41 ERA vs Toronto.
His career numbers in Yankee Stadium: 8-2 in 15 games started with a 3.27 ERA.
At Camden Yards, he's 4-0 in eight starts with a 3.24 ERA.
Oh, and he's really good at Rogers Centre as well: 15 games started, 11-1, 3.00 ERA.
In total, that's, 23-3 with a 3.31 ERA against the biggest AL East rivals in their ballparks.
Sorry, Tampa -- you won't be a rival for the Red Sox this season.
Every Fifth Day (Or Fewer)
Tony Massarotti consistently says the most important stat in sports is games played. David Price, since May 25, 2009, has taken the baseball an average of 30 times per season. More importantly, he takes the baseball in September/October.
His numbers down the stretch over seven seasons are very impressive:
40 GS, 21-7, 268 IP, 2.99 ERA, 75 BBs, 244 K's.
In those 40 starts, his teams are 30-10.
In the last two seasons, when pitching in September against a team in his division, Price holds an 8-1 record in 10 games started, an impressive 2.55 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched.
That to me is impressive and worth this three-year, $100 million contract.
(We all know he'll opt out after three seasons.)
Here's how CC Sabathia performed in his first three years -- his age 28, 29, 30 seasons -- before opting out:
95 GS, 675 IP, 55-21, 3.17 ERA, 624 K's.
Zack Greinke's first three years before he opted out, his age 29, 30, 31 seasons:
92 GS, 602 IP, 51-15, 2.30 ERA, 555 K's.
My point: You're getting Price in his age 30, 31 and 32 seasons. He should pitch great.
I understand there are negatives to this signing (tune in 2-6 p.m. for The David Price In Decline Show), but I'm choosing to ignore those because my Boston Red Sox on Dec. 1, 2015 have just clinched the 2016 World Series title … unless John Farrell screws it up.
James Stewart is the executive producer of the Felger and Massarotti Show, which airs 2-6 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Find him on Twitter @IAmJamesStewart.
