Sabermetric Guru
Bill James is projecting a pretty mediocre 2018 performance by Boston's top four starting pitchers. James sees
Chris Sale,
Rick Porcello,
David Price and
Drew Pomeranz averaging just 12.5 wins each—
totaling only 50 for the foursome. This projected total is
one shy of what the four accumulated in 2017—but, then again, Price had just six wins. Both Sale and Pomeranz netted 17 victories each last season—and Porcello notched 11. Price—who can opt-out of his contract after 2018—is not viewed as having the kind of year that would encourage him to 'test the waters' away from Fenway. James sees Price going 12-9 with a 3.73 ERA over 28 starts. If Price
does leave by opting-out, it would free up $31 million—better allowing the Sox to participate in the
FreeAgentPalooza at the end of next season (
Bryce Harper,
Manny Machado,
Josh Donaldson).
