By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Boston Red Sox starting rotation for 2021 is starting to come together. After a week of reports that the two sides were coming close to a deal, Boston signed starting pitcher Garrett Richards on Saturday.
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox are giving Richards a one-year contract worth $10 million. The deal also includes a team option for 2022, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Last year for San Diego, Richards was 2-2 in 10 starts with a 4.03 ERA. He spent the end of the season and the postseason coming out of the bullpen.
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A first round pick in 2009, the righty’s biggest issue throughout his career has been durability – he’s only made 25-plus starts twice in his 10-year career. His last somewhat complete season came in 2018, when he had a 3.66 ERA in 16 starts for the Angels Tommy John surgery ended his season and cost him most of 2019.
Before his surgery, Richards’ fastball sat in the mid-90’s, at times flirting with triple digits. The former Cotuit Kettleer also throws a changeup, slider, and curveball. He led the majors in average spin rate on the latter two pitches in 2018.
Richards is the second Major League starting pitcher the Red Sox have added this week, after Martin Perez. Perez spent 2020 in Boston, but the team declined his option in November.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.
