Truth & Rumors > MLB

Red Sox near deal with Penny

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Sox are nearing an agreement with free-agent righthanded starting pitcher Brad Penny, according to baseball sources. The one-year deal would be worth $5 million, with $3 million in performance bonuses believed to start at approximately 160 innings pitched. In a separate deal, the Sox are also nearing an agreement with free-agent catcher Josh Bard, according to baseball sources. The one-year deal, which is not guaranteed, would be worth $1.6 million and would include a team option, according to sources. Both potential deals are pending physicals.

Boston Globe

Brad Penny, Rob Leiter/Getty Images Brad Penny, Rob Leiter/Getty Images
December 29, 2008  05:00 AM ET

They could have had Tex.......but they got CHEAP...at the end and did not step up when they really should have.

December 29, 2008  07:18 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

They could have had Tex.......but they got CHEAP...at the end and did not step up when they really should have.

and that has exactly what to do with Brad Penny? I have a hard time believing a team with a 125-140 million payroll classifies as cheap.

I'll say it again, anyone who believes that the yankees weren't just going to pay more than the highest offer for Tex is really fooling themselves. Boras clients go to the highest paycheck, no matter what. That way, the next Boras client gets more money and the greed is a perpetual motion machine.

Now, to Penny. Looks like a low risk high reward type of signing. Much better lifetime numbers than the 82,500,000 A J Burnett. Potiental is higher for Penny next year as well, given it is a 1 year contract so it is a contract year for him, which is ironically, the only time Burnett ever performed in his career.

If it does not work out, you already have a plan B with Buchholz, Masterson, and Bowden. The Sox did not need to overspend for a pitcher this offseason, let teams that can't develop their own players or make smart moves do that. Very rarely, do long term FA deals for pitchers ever work out, you can probably count on 1 hand the number of 80,000,000 and higher contracts for pitchers that have ever worked out.

December 29, 2008  08:37 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

They could have had Tex.......but they got CHEAP...at the end and did not step up when they really should have.

The Sox got lucky, Teixeira ain't all that and besides he's a clubhouse cancer.

December 29, 2008  08:57 AM ET

"I'll say it again, anyone who believes that the yankees weren't just going to pay more than the highest offer"

lol...typical Red Sox fan-
concerned more with what the YANKEES do
rather than your own team

December 29, 2008  09:04 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

"I'll say it again, anyone who believes that the yankees weren't just going to pay more than the highest offer"lol...typical Red Sox fan- concerned more with what the YANKEES do rather than your own team

I was responding to a statement posted before, maybe you couldn't figure that out by the "quote" part.

Typical yankees troll, trying to make every story about the alleged "smart" yankees.

December 29, 2008  09:08 AM ET

Who's Josh Bard?

December 29, 2008  09:37 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

They could have had Tex.......but they got CHEAP...at the end and did not step up when they really should have.

I believe a top notch starter is more important to Boston than Texiera. Offense has not been a major problem for the Yanks or Sox... but we've seen pitching be questionable for both at times due to injuries, age, and/or ineffectiveness.

December 29, 2008  09:46 AM ET

texeira clubhouse cancer? did you hear thunters comments? sounds like an angry sox fan!

December 29, 2008  09:56 AM ET

Yeah, way to counter C.C. & A.J. Reminds me of the Bartolo Colon move last season.

December 29, 2008  09:58 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

I believe a top notch starter is more important to Boston than Texiera. Offense has not been a major problem for the Yanks or Sox... but we've seen pitching be questionable for both at times due to injuries, age, and/or ineffectiveness.

Top notch starter? To notch starters do not sign 1 year contracts for $5 mill + incentives. This is a washed up injury prone has been who had success in the NL West 2 years ago.

December 29, 2008  10:13 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Who's Josh Bard?

He was with Boston in 2006 as a backup and couldn't catch the knuckleball to save his life. He was traded to San Diego with Cla Meredith for Mirabelli (a horrible deal in hindsight).

He had very solid seasons in 2006 and 2007 (hit .333 and .285 respectively) but was injured most of last year and hit just .202. Hardly the solution to the catching hole, but it's a start.

Both players had very solid seasons in 2006 and 2007 and struggled with injuries last year. I like both moves. Low risk, high reward.

December 29, 2008  10:16 AM ET
QUOTE(#11):

Top notch starter? To notch starters do not sign 1 year contracts for $5 mill + incentives. This is a washed up injury prone has been who had success in the NL West 2 years ago.

Sounds like you are describing A.J. Burnett too... minus the NL West reference...

December 29, 2008  10:22 AM ET

The more arms the better. This guy was an All Star in 06 and 07 and he was hurt most of last year so... The Red Sox take chances on reclamation projects like Penny often and at 5 million I'd say his resume warrants a look. Who knows with all of the arms the Red Sox have he may be able to contribute as a spot starter or a 7th inning middle reliever. One thing for sure you can never have enough pitching! Go Red Sox!!!

December 29, 2008  10:26 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

and that has exactly what to do with Brad Penny? I have a hard time believing a team with a 125-140 million payroll classifies as cheap.I'll say it again, anyone who believes that the yankees weren't just going to pay more than the highest offer for Tex is really fooling themselves. Boras clients go to the highest paycheck, no matter what. That way, the next Boras client gets more money and the greed is a perpetual motion machine.Now, to Penny. Looks like a low risk high reward type of signing. Much better lifetime numbers than the 82,500,000 A J Burnett. Potiental is higher for Penny next year as well, given it is a 1 year contract so it is a contract year for him, which is ironically, the only time Burnett ever performed in his career.If it does not work out, you already have a plan B with Buchholz, Masterson, and Bowden. The Sox did not need to overspend for a pitcher this offseason, let teams that can't develop their own players or make smart moves do that. Very rarely, do long term FA deals for pitchers ever work out, you can probably count on 1 hand the number of 80,000,000 and higher contracts for pitchers that have ever worked out.

Right on the money!

December 29, 2008  10:52 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

The more arms the better. This guy was an All Star in 06 and 07 and he was hurt most of last year so... The Red Sox take chances on reclamation projects like Penny often and at 5 million I'd say his resume warrants a look. Who knows with all of the arms the Red Sox have he may be able to contribute as a spot starter or a 7th inning middle reliever. One thing for sure you can never have enough pitching! Go Red Sox!!!

In that case... pick up Carl Pavano! A bargin!

December 29, 2008  11:08 AM ET

I like this pick up. Penny is only 30. He was ahead of Lowe in the Dodger's rotation in '06 and '07. If healthy, his stats compare favorably with A. J. Burnett. Worth a $5M roll of the die.

December 29, 2008  11:29 AM ET
QUOTE(#16):

In that case... pick up Carl Pavano! A bargin!

Why not, the yankees did, again. Think Burnett will make 30 starts in a non-contract year? He hasn't yet in his career.

December 29, 2008  11:33 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Who's Josh Bard?

This will be your 2009 catcher since you are not re-signing Tek. Have fun!

December 29, 2008  11:34 AM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Why not, the yankees did, again. Think Burnett will make 30 starts in a non-contract year? He hasn't yet in his career.

Do me a favor and look at/compare Burnetts stats Vs. Becketts stats. They are almost identical and plagued with similar injuries.

 
December 29, 2008  11:44 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

Yeah, way to counter C.C. & A.J. Reminds me of the Bartolo Colon move last season.

You mean A.J. "I never make 30 starts except for a contract season" Burnett? Huh? You just overpaid for Carl Pavano, again. A .500 pitcher with 1 good season.

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