MLB Free Agents: 2021 free agency outlook (AL East)
Boston Red Sox
The almost $20 million expected to come off next year’s payroll, from four 2021 free agents, doesn’t move the needle much when considering the looming questions surrounding the Red Sox. Just take a look at the list of players Boston will pay this season, who won’t even contribute:
Trading star outfielder Mookie Betts did help, though (even while paying half of David Price‘s salary), as the Red Sox come in just under the $208-million tax threshold ($199.9 million), but really they’re just kicking the can down the road to next year if the team really plans to compete with the likes of the New Yankees and the Rays (Boston already has $150.8 million committed to 2021’s payroll). The Red Sox aren’t in the most ideal situation, and Chris Sale‘s Tommy John surgery really doesn’t help matters (especially given they still owe him roughly $160 million), but perhaps a shortened season isn’t so bad for them.
2021 MLB Free Agents
- Jackie Bradley Jr., OF
- Kevin Pillar, OF
- Brandon Workman, RP
- Colin McHugh, SP
It didn’t take long for Red Sox Nation to move on from Bradley, who posted one of the worst seasons of his career in 2019, struggling to the tune of a .225 AVG and just 1.4 WAR. But the truth is, Boston’s homegrown center fielder has been trending negatively for essentially the last three seasons, finishing with a wRC+ of 89, 90, and 90 from 2017-19, respectively, including an increase in strikeout-rate. It’s almost a done deal that the Red Sox will let Bradley walk next offseason, which may not be as bad as it seems, given the organization’s tenth-ranked prospect, Jarren Duran, is coming along nicely. For now, though, Bradley will earn $11 million in 2020… and try his best to improve his value for the winter.
Recently acquired Alex Verdugo seems ready to go, after battling recent back problems, though the Red Sox were smart to bring in Pillar to give the team a lefty bat, signing the veteran outfielder to one-year, $4.250 million deal back in February. Pillar, 31-years-old, made Boston look even smarter during Spring Training when he hit .355 with four doubles in 12 games. He’ll play plenty in 2020 and shouldn’t have trouble finding work next offseason.
Workman (The “Yackman”) had an incredible 2019 season with Boston, allowing Red Sox fans to all but forget about former closer Craig Kimbrel. In 73 appearances, the 6-foot-5 Workman converted 16 saves and posted a 1.88 ERA — good for a 2.1-WAR season last year (tied for the fifth-most WAR in the majors by a relief pitcher). Perhaps even more impressive, is how the 31-year-old accomplished all of that despite carrying a hideous walk-rate of 5.65 BB/9. Regardless, there was interest among Red Sox Nation to extend Workman, but that was before COVID-19. The former 2nd round pick (2010) will earn $3.5 million this season.
With Sale out for the year from his recent Tommy John surgery, McHugh fills in nicely in the Red Sox starting rotation, but not without his own recent ailments. Last season the 32-year-old’s campaign was ruined thanks to chronic elbow soreness — an injury he’s just now getting over (he’s about 2 months into a throwing program now). Unfortunately, McHugh’s days as an above-average starter with the Houston Astros are over with, spending the last two seasons as a reliever; however, with a $600,000 salary for the 2020 season he has a chance to show he can still take the mound every fifth day, perhaps even giving him some value on the market next offseason.