Sox re-sign Steve Pearce
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
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Good to hear .. one year commitments are good .. one year cheap commitments are even better. Pearce isn’t a star but he’s a nice component piece.
Passan also adds:
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan3m
The World Series MVP is headed back to Boston. Red Sox have wanted to keep the core of their championship team intact, and this is the first move aimed at doing so. Still on their target list: Nathan Eovaldi, whose market is ripe after his phenomenal postseason.
I like it.
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan3m
The World Series MVP is headed back to Boston. Red Sox have wanted to keep the core of their championship team intact, and this is the first move aimed at doing so. Still on their target list: Nathan Eovaldi, whose market is ripe after his phenomenal postseason.
I like it.
Good deal for the team, and glad for Pearce. He earned being able to walk out at Fenway and receive his ring on Opening Day. I always feel bad for the guys that miss out on that after signing elsewhere.
People forget that Pearce isnt solely a first baseman.
Multiple position player who crushes lefties and proven himself in the market on one year deal? Sign. Me. Up.
Multiple position player who crushes lefties and proven himself in the market on one year deal? Sign. Me. Up.
Sequels don't tend to go well, but this team might be grounded enough for it to work. In any event, Pearce does what he does and that thing fits well here.
I think it’s right in line with what he should have expected. He’ll be a 36 yo journeyman in April, two years maybe, three? Nfw.
The right deal for both sides - low risk obviously, Pearce performs and may get another year or two after that one - w Boston or go for $$ somewhere....
What a pretty song. Glad he said "yes."
He may not be a "star," but for a brief while he was, and it was glorious.
He may not be a "star," but for a brief while he was, and it was glorious.
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My wife and I just saw "Bohemian Rhapsody" this afternoon. Freddie Mercury may have been the star of Queen, but just like Queen wouldn't have been Queen without Brian May, Roger Taylor or John Deacon, the 2018 Red Sox wouldn't have been the 2018 Red Sox without Steve Pearce.
Great news! Makes for a good, affordable 1B platoon and a great guy to root for.
Next up, Eovaldi.
Next up, Eovaldi.
Such good news.
Pearce was 32nd in MLB last year with 8.0 barrels/PA (JDM 3rd, Betts 5th, Moreland 38th). That’s a pretty good jump from previous years (4.9 in 2017, 6.3 in 2016, 3.7 in 2015). Could just be noise/SSS, but it’s fairly odd for a 35-year-old to become one of the top hitters in the league (he was excellent against RHP last year too). Maybe some of JDM’s wisdom applied to him too?
Either way, good stuff. I was expecting 2/$12.
Pearce was 32nd in MLB last year with 8.0 barrels/PA (JDM 3rd, Betts 5th, Moreland 38th). That’s a pretty good jump from previous years (4.9 in 2017, 6.3 in 2016, 3.7 in 2015). Could just be noise/SSS, but it’s fairly odd for a 35-year-old to become one of the top hitters in the league (he was excellent against RHP last year too). Maybe some of JDM’s wisdom applied to him too?
Either way, good stuff. I was expecting 2/$12.
In the Offseason thread I noted that he made $6.25M last year and suggested they offer him $6.5M. So close! But that cheapskate Henry gave him no raise. WS MVP not worth much, apparently. 
Really a perfect fit on this team, so I'm glad to have him back.
Really a perfect fit on this team, so I'm glad to have him back.
This is is an excellent take. In today's market, $13 million seems like a bargain for the combined production at first base, let alone the threat of some power on the bench.
He also grew up rooting for the team, has a role here that suits him well, and is a ten-year veteran who's earned something like $25m. Maybe he could find a bit more (2/$10?) somewhere else, but why?In the Offseason thread I noted that he made $6.25M last year and suggested they offer him $6.5M. So close! But that cheapskate Henry gave him no raise. WS MVP not worth much, apparently.
Really a perfect fit on this team, so I'm glad to have him back.
Maybe on the heels of his WS performance he can book a TV ad for a car dealership or furniture store or something.
I don't know how to cut this off, but you only need the first couple of minutes.
Here's the thing: he ain't just a lefty pitcher hitting batter. He is solid.
the platoon really worked, so keep it for 2019. then reassess how Chavis and Dalbec are coming along next offseason.
as far as WS MVP - he must have gotten a bit of a bonus for that, right? that's a standard thing in all contracts
as far as WS MVP - he must have gotten a bit of a bonus for that, right? that's a standard thing in all contracts
I think it's more likely in the contracts of bigger name players. It's not listed on any of the usual sources for him.
He and Moreland combined for almost $18M in value this year according to Fangraphs, so even if one or both of them slip a little, we will likely get our money's worth. The fact that they're both great at receiving throws will help the rest of the infield, especially Devers. Solid move.
Seconding this. Pearce in particular had a superhuman ability to keep his toe on the bag longer than should be possible while corralling errant throws.
That bag work is fascinating, isn't it? it's not so much a stretch as a 3-point suspension, with the bag anchoring one foot, and the other leg and arm stabilizing the body for the left arm to reach out to take the throw. You need core strength and fine balance to pull it off. As Eckersley would say, "It's a beautiful thing."
Pearce has rated well at 1B by advanced metrics, with a career DRS of 12 in 1800+ innings and a UZR/150 of 6.8 (which is actually a bit better than Moreland's). He's a good 1B. It's only in the outfield that he's a defensive liability.
Although only 1 year, Pearce probably figures he’s less likely to be traded mid-season from a good team that should be a buyer at the deadline not a seller. That has to be comforting to a guy who really has had an itinerant career. Especially good since it’s his hometown team.
Leaves them with no 1b commitment after 2019. Moreland/Pearce is a perfect two-headed monster at 1b. Those two single-handedly won one of the greatest games in franchise history.