After playing a key role in the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series this past October, the champions have announced that folk hero Steve Pearce will be back in 2019.
Steve Pearce has had a pretty great last several months, and his hot streak continues as the Boston Red Sox have signed the World Series MVP to a one-year, $6.25 million deal as reported by Jeff Passan.
The #RedSox today signed first baseman Steve Pearce to a one-year contract through the 2019 season. pic.twitter.com/q82gMEozvm
— Red Sox (@RedSox) November 16, 2018
Acquired in July from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league infielder Santiago Espinal and $1.5 million, Pearce took off as soon as his name was penciled into Boston’s lineup. After going 2-4 in his Red Sox debut, the 35-year old hit a three home runs —against the Yankees, nonetheless — in his eighth game with the team. Used primarily as a corner outfielder with the Blue Jays, Pearce shared platoon role at first base with Mitch Moreland as a fiery hitter whose known for mashing lefties, as indicative of his .959 OPS against LHPs in 2018.
It was in October that Pearce really took off. Appearing in all but one of the Red Sox’s postseason games, he hit .289 with 4 home runs, 11 runs batted in and a 1.083(!!) OPS in 38 at-bats. He won World Series MVP for good reason; between Game 4 and the World Series-clinching Game 5, Pearce went 4-8 with 3 moon shots and 7 RBI.
Along with his flare for performing in the clutch — remember when he hit TWO walkoff grand slams in FOUR days in 2017?! — Pearce’s veteran leadership and burning desire to win propelled the Red Sox to taking the World Series title with ease. I’m not saying that Boston wouldn’t have won it if it weren’t for him, but he was perhaps the final piece of the puzzle as the Red Sox devoured every opponent they faced in the postseason.
The Red Sox’ brass has rewarded the journeyman with a one-year $6.25 million deal that gives him the opportunity to help Boston repeat their success next season. Not a bad last few months for a player whose claim to fame — if it hadn’t been for his postseason greatness — would have been that he’s suited up for every American League East team.
Now, Steve Pearce is a World Series champion and World Series MVP, and the Boston Red Sox hope his success can continue in beantown in 2019.