Fresh off the heels of their dominating 8-0 win against the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon, the Boston Red Sox have extended right-handed pitcher Rick Porcello to a four-year deal. Porcello was set to become a free agent at season’s end.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the deal will be worth roughly $82.5 million over the four years. Porcello will receive $20 million in both 2016 and 2017 and $21 million in 2018 and 2019. The deal also includes a $500,000 bonus.
Porcello was acquired this past offseason by the Red Sox from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. In an article written by Porcello after the signing of the deal in The Players Tribune, he expresses his excitement on staying in Boston for the foreseeable future.
“What really sold me on the idea of staying here for many more years was the people. Players here work their tails off and are on a daily mission to win. Coaches here don’t just focus on their own area of concentration; they’re constantly looking at how the team as a whole can get better. The organization offers every opportunity for you to excel as a player on the field, so it’s understandable why the expectations are so high. I wouldn’t have it any other way and couldn’t be happier.”
Porcello has yet to step on the mound for the Red Sox during a regular season game, but many had him penciled in as potentially the Red Sox best starter in a rotation full of question marks and potential. In four games for Boston this spring, Porcello had a 0-0 record with a 2.57 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The 26-year old also posted career bests in wins, earned run average and shutouts last year with the Tigers. He will take the mound for the first time in a Red Sox uniform on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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