Price’s Red Sox Career so Far
2018 will be a year that will define David Price’s career. Since he signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2016 season, things haven’t gone as planned. Price won seventeen games in his first year in Boston, but had an ERA of 3.99 and struggled in his only postseason start. Last year he was injured for the majority of the season and clashed with the media. People started to question his character and if he should stay in Boston. He returned in the playoffs as a reliever and was dominant. He came up big when the Red Sox needed him the most and did not give up a run in his two appearances. Price will be looking to build off that and be the ace the Sox envisioned when they signed him.
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What Last Year’s Playoff Performance Meant
As a reliever last year Price had perhaps his best performances as a Red Sox. Up until the point he hadn’t had a clutch moment in a Red Sox uniform. In Game 3 of the American league Division Series, he entered the game with the Sox clinging to a 4-3 lead. With the Red Sox facing elimination he put them on his back and pitched four scoreless innings. It wasn’t the dominant playoff start that Price has lacked but it was as close as you can get. This should help Price going into 2018 and if the Red Sox make the playoffs this year.
Photo Credit: Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Why Is 2018 so Important for Price?
The season before Price signed with Boston he had 18 wins and a 2.45 ERA. He was considered one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Red Sox need him to be the ace like pitcher he was. If he can, then the Sox will have one of the best rotations in baseball. After the 2018 season the former first overall pick can opt out of his deal. Price could seek a more lucrative deal, but he would also be leaving a lot of money on the table.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Aaron Josefczyk
Will Price Opt Out?
It is too early to say whether Price will opt out or not? He will need to show he’s healthy and still a dominant pitcher. If he can’t do this than it’s hard to imagine him getting a deal that would be lucrative than if he stayed in Boston. One thing people can be sure of is he will be more motivated than ever in 2018. He will be out to show that he is still a dominant pitcher. Price came to Boston two years ago to win a title. In each of the past two seasons, Price and the Red Sox have been eliminated in the playoffs both times in their own ballpark. This will be a year that will define Price’s career, and it could be something special.
