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Red Sox: Whether you liked him or not, David Price was worth it

By Max Bozicas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: David Price #10 of the Boston Red Sox looks at the ball from the mound during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: David Price #10 of the Boston Red Sox looks at the ball from the mound during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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After months of speculation, the Boston Red Sox have traded Mookie Betts and David Price. Betts’ departure has crushed the fanbase, but Price is overlooked.

If you are only a casual follower of baseball, you might not have even known that David Price will be accompanying Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Boston Red Sox fans are so devastated by the loss of Betts that Price being traded along with him has flown under the radar.

The most polarizing figure the Red Sox organization has seen in recent years is a complete afterthought.

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Whether it was him clashing with the media, going back and forth with people on Twitter, or backing out of starts due to injuries, there always seemed to be something happening with Price during his time with the Red Sox. This was very annoying to fans and Price was largely disliked in Boston for almost the entirety of his tenure.

The Red Sox signed Price to a wildly expensive contract prior to the start of the 2016 season. Seven years, $217 million to be exact.

Teams don’t give that type of deal to someone unless they believe it will help them win a World Series. In 2018, Price and the Red Sox did just that.

For that alone, Price was worth the dramatics. He obviously wasn’t the most likable guy but there’s no denying the facts: Price delivered in the 2018 postseason.

His first two starts were rough, and it led people to reinforce the narrative that Price is a playoff choker. Then, Game 5 of the ALCS rolled around and something clicked.

The Red Sox had a 3-1 lead in the series against the Houston Astros going into that game when Price took the mound with an opportunity to help ensure a World Series berth, and he pitched six innings without allowing a run.

The team would go on to win and face the Dodgers with a championship on the line. Game 2 was Price’s first start in that matchup, where he went another six innings allowing just two runs. Again, the Red Sox won.

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Price made a relief appearance in Game 3 and allowed no runs, but the team ultimately lost in extra innings. His final start came in a similar scenario to the ALCS: Game 5, 3-1 series lead and a chance to help put it away. The result was seven innings, one earned run.

To summarize, Price did exactly what the Red Sox signed him to do. He was a contributing factor to them winning a championship. In the grand scheme of things, that’s all that matters.

It’s fair to be happy that Price is gone. He was certainly a headache and isn’t a perennial Cy Young candidate anymore.

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That being said, it is not fair to say that the four years of Price in a Red Sox uniform is something the team should regret. He stamped his name on a championship by finally pulling it together and pitching well when the lights shined at their brightest. There are plenty of others who can’t say they did the same.

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