Post by Zig on Nov 12, 2015 15:43:34 GMT -5
Red Sox pick up 2016 option on Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz was 7-7 in 18 starts in 2015.
By Peter Abraham GLOBE STAFF NOVEMBER 03, 2015
Clay Buchholz has been with the Red Sox for parts of nine seasons and only once had pitched more than 175 innings. He has a six-year streak of landing on the disabled list.
But potential and talent still trump frustration for the Sox, who on Tuesday picked up Buchholz’s $13 million option for next season.
Once the team determined Buchholz was healthy, there was little doubt they would retain the 31-year-old righthander. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said several times that would be an easy decision.
Since 2010, Buchholz is 61-37 with a 3.61 ERA and two All-Star selections. In baseball’s economic climate, his extension is actually reasonable.
The issue is durability. Buchholz has made only 105 starts over the last five years, missing approximately 55 games because of injuries or illness.
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The first decision on the agenda as the team begins setting its course for 2016 is Clay Buchholz’s contract option.
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Buchholz has spent time on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring, a lower back strain, a stomach illness, a strained neck, a hyperextended left knee, and an elbow strain.
This season was typical. Buchholz was 7-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts, pitching well after a rough first month. From June 18 to July 4, Buchholz was 4-0 and allowed three earned runs over 31 innings. He walked two and struck out 23 in that span.
Then, on July 10, Buchholz left his start against the Yankees in the fourth inning, saying a day later that his elbow felt stiff.
The Sox put Buchholz on the disabled list but said the injury was not serious. Buchholz even started to play catch again 10 days later. Then a consultation with Dr. James Andrews revealed a strained flexor muscle near the elbow.
Buchholz was given an injection of plasma-rich platelets and shut down again. The Sox said at the time that he could return in early September. But as each week passed, it became evident that Buchholz would not pitch again and he did not.
By the final week of the season, Buchholz was playing long toss and threw in the bullpen. He then passed his exit physical.
Under the terms of a contract agreed to in 2011, the Red Sox now hold a $13.5 million option on Buchholz for 2017 or can pay a $500,000 buyout.
Picking up the option does not prohibit the Red Sox from trading Buchholz. But the Red Sox had one of the poorest rotations in the game last season and need to add starters, not lose them.
Buchholz was the Opening Day starter last season. If that is the case again in 2016, the Sox will have failed to upgrade their rotation. But Buchholz could be a solid mid-rotation starter for a contender.
Buchholz is 73-51 for his career with a 3.85 ERA and adjusted ERA of 111.
Clay Buchholz was 7-7 in 18 starts in 2015.
By Peter Abraham GLOBE STAFF NOVEMBER 03, 2015
Clay Buchholz has been with the Red Sox for parts of nine seasons and only once had pitched more than 175 innings. He has a six-year streak of landing on the disabled list.
But potential and talent still trump frustration for the Sox, who on Tuesday picked up Buchholz’s $13 million option for next season.
Once the team determined Buchholz was healthy, there was little doubt they would retain the 31-year-old righthander. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said several times that would be an easy decision.
Since 2010, Buchholz is 61-37 with a 3.61 ERA and two All-Star selections. In baseball’s economic climate, his extension is actually reasonable.
The issue is durability. Buchholz has made only 105 starts over the last five years, missing approximately 55 games because of injuries or illness.
View Story
Red Sox face crucial stretch as baseball’s offseason begins
The first decision on the agenda as the team begins setting its course for 2016 is Clay Buchholz’s contract option.
Red Sox announce spring training schedule
Buchholz has spent time on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring, a lower back strain, a stomach illness, a strained neck, a hyperextended left knee, and an elbow strain.
This season was typical. Buchholz was 7-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts, pitching well after a rough first month. From June 18 to July 4, Buchholz was 4-0 and allowed three earned runs over 31 innings. He walked two and struck out 23 in that span.
Then, on July 10, Buchholz left his start against the Yankees in the fourth inning, saying a day later that his elbow felt stiff.
The Sox put Buchholz on the disabled list but said the injury was not serious. Buchholz even started to play catch again 10 days later. Then a consultation with Dr. James Andrews revealed a strained flexor muscle near the elbow.
Buchholz was given an injection of plasma-rich platelets and shut down again. The Sox said at the time that he could return in early September. But as each week passed, it became evident that Buchholz would not pitch again and he did not.
By the final week of the season, Buchholz was playing long toss and threw in the bullpen. He then passed his exit physical.
Under the terms of a contract agreed to in 2011, the Red Sox now hold a $13.5 million option on Buchholz for 2017 or can pay a $500,000 buyout.
Picking up the option does not prohibit the Red Sox from trading Buchholz. But the Red Sox had one of the poorest rotations in the game last season and need to add starters, not lose them.
Buchholz was the Opening Day starter last season. If that is the case again in 2016, the Sox will have failed to upgrade their rotation. But Buchholz could be a solid mid-rotation starter for a contender.
Buchholz is 73-51 for his career with a 3.85 ERA and adjusted ERA of 111.