BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have announced their seven-year, $217 million contract with AL Cy Young runner-up David Price – the richest ever for a pitcher.
Meeting the media at a Fenway Park news conference on Friday, the 30-year-old left-hander said he is looking forward to all his new city has to offer.
“Boston was special to me, both good and bad, throughout my career,” he said of his sometimes contentious relationship with the Red Sox and their fans.
“They have winning in their past. They’ve done it recently as well, and I really think we’re going to do it in the future. That’s what I want to be a part of,” he said.
The sides agreed to the terms of the deal Tuesday, but had to wait for Price to pass his physical. The contract gives Price the right to opt out after three seasons.
“This is an exciting time,” owner John Henry said. “We’re going to see one of the best pitchers in baseball every five days. It’s going to be exciting for our fans, but it’s going to be really exciting for our team.”
The AL’s top pitcher in 2012 and the runner-up twice in seven full major league seasons, Price has a 3.09 ERA with 1,372 strikeouts and 104 wins. He went 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 2015, striking out 225.
He will try to help the Red Sox turn things around after they finished in last place last season for the third time in four years.
“If I come anywhere close to meeting the expectations that I set for myself, I’m pretty positive that everybody will be happy with that,” Price said.
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