The Boston Red Sox have signed former All-Star Grady Sizemore. The deal reportedly has a base of just $750,000, with incentives into the $6M range. This is a fantastic move on a number of levels.
Let’s begin with the obvious: it’s a zero risk signing with endless potential. Grady Sizemore was once an absolute stud. In his four consecutive healthy seasons, 2005-2008, he posted a .281/.372/.496 slash, averaging 27 HR, 81 RBI, 116 R, and 29 SB. Over that span he netted four top-25 MVP finishes, three All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, and one Silver Slugger. For comparison, during his four healthy seasons, 2008, ’09, ’11, and ’13, the man Sizemore is hoping to replace, one Jacoby Ellsbury, posted a .300/.365/.446 line, averaging 14 HR, 66 RBI, 101 R, 53 SB. Of course, that comparison is not the whole story–Ellsbury’s injuries were more bad luck than degradation, Sizemore’s been out of commission for nearly five years–but if choosing by the numbers alone, it’s hard not to go with Sizemore. And at 31 he’s just a year older than Ellsbury.
With this contract, GM Ben Cherrington, reigning Executive of the Year, is solidifying his position as a reclamation strategist in the vein of Bill Belichick. Like Mike Napoli’s 1 year, $5M deal that matured to $13M after incentives, Sizemore’s deal is structured such that the team takes on little risk, but the player is rewarded in a manner commensurate with performance. Cherrington no doubt modeled these deals with his predecessor and mentor, Theo Epstein, in mind. The Sox have Epstein to thank for John Lackey’s 2015 league minimum salary due to a clause protecting the team if the pitcher missed time with an elbow injury. With these deals, the team’s risk is mitigated without alienating the players. It positions Boston as a place to go for a second chance, and with so many damaged stars out there that can’t be a bad thing.
The addition of Grady Sizemore is potentially more significant in its peripheral effects. Most notably those on presumed incumbent Jackie Bradley Jr. Last spring, Bradley Jr. was hailed as the next Yaz–he hit in the .400s and defiantly forced his way onto the Opening Day roster. Then he tanked. After returning to Triple A Pawtucket he rebounded, posting .275/.374/.469 line with 10 HR and 57 R in 80 games. He returned to the bigs after Ellsbury suffered a broken foot and had a much stronger showing. Sizemore’s presence during Spring Training will force Bradley to step up his game, while also pairing him with a solid veteran in CF drills.
At the end of the day, it’s great to see Grady Sizemore getting another shot. For four years with the Indians he was one of the most exciting acts in baseball. He played with a reckless abandon that made him a fan favorite and media darling. Sox fans hope he’s learned to reel it in a bit, but either way he’ll be a great story out of Fort Meyers come Spring Training.
-Ari Glantz
Stat of the Day: The Red Sox top the list with nine prospects in the Top-100, two more than the Astros and Cubs.
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