Whitlock signed to a 4 year/18.75M extension until 2026.

StuckOnYouk

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Without even seeing the dollars yet I love it. Plus two club options. So they are covering his three arb years and a year of FA? Or two years?
I’d imagine they know it works financially for them to even talk about it with whitlock
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I like it in the sense that they're showing commitment to a good young pitcher. On the other hand, it only gives them one extra year of control versus what they already had. The cost certainty, especially if he continues to get better, is bound to turn into a bargain down the road.
 

DeadlySplitter

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"Source: Garrett Whitlock gets $18.75M guaranteed over four years. 2027 option is $8.25M with $1M buyout. 2028 option is $10.5M with $500k buyout. Options can escalate by up to $2.5M each per year. Total max is $44.5M. "

"Clarification here: Options can escalate by up to $2.5M each year for significant innings pitched in previous years (some cumulative over 2023-26, some in immediate prior year) and for award recognition. Max total escalation is $4M per year. At most, deal is 6/$44.5M. " (he fixes typo on 8/44.5 in next tweet)

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1513189836081008653
 
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Just a bit outside

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I think this confirms they clearly see Whitlock as a starter for most of this time. It would be doubtful they would sign a reliever for an extended amount of time.
 

Ed Hillel

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Like…what? I mean, that’s amazing, but…what? Is his arm about to fall off?
 

curly2

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This is inaccurate. Whitlock has only one season of service time, so he's a free agent after 2027. The options cover his last pre-FA season and his first FA season.
Unless he gets sent down at some point, he would have six full years from 2021-26 and be a free agent after 2026. So the options cover two FA years.
 

RG33

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Obviously love this. Poaching such a great, young arm from the MFY and then locking him up for 6 years? Tremendous move.
 

Yo La Tengo

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Love it.

I've seen discussion of disablity insurance and Loss of Value riders for pro athletes to insure themselves. Does anyone have any idea how common a these are for baseball players and what it would cost?
 

jtn46

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I like it because his usage is unique to a degree where he could fairly feel he's being burned out. Now he has some security and the Sox have a clearer stake in keeping him healthy.
 

The Mort Report

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I'm honestly surprised we don't see more deals like this. I get that players like to bet on themselves, but if you can guarantee yourself life altering money while still leaving yourself open to another big payday it seems like a no brainer.
 

BravesField

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We have 2 good things to fall into our laps over that disaster of season (2020), Mayer and Whitlock. Makes me think how fortunate we were to have Pitts, Texas and Detroit pass on Whitlock to make him available for us.

Great job Chaim....
 

MtPleasant Paul

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Looks like a good deal for both sides with team control through the player's age 32 season should the options be exercised. We like it just like most of us approved of the Sale and Barnes extensions.
 

chawson

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I like it because his usage is unique to a degree where he could fairly feel he's being burned out. Now he has some security and the Sox have a clearer stake in keeping him healthy.
Yeah, agree with this. This contract potentially keeps him through his [edit:] age-32 season, and lets them ease him slowly into rotation work if it takes.

Whitlock’s makeup and temperament seems like part of the equation too — the quiet determination, team-forward humility and all that. He’s been fantastic in so many high leverage situations already, and the ability to play on this stage is important. And he doesn’t seem the sort for whom money is the primary motivator to improve.
 

YTF

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I'm honestly surprised we don't see more deals like this. I get that players like to bet on themselves, but if you can guarantee yourself life altering money while still leaving yourself open to another big payday it seems like a no brainer.
Yes, generally speaking these types of deals benefit both sides. The young player might be giving up a little bit, but that lifetime, financial security that the team provides by buying out those arbitration (and in some cases a FA year) is a huge consideration.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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It is nice that some players do negotiate after the season starts. At least ours.
Being that it's only two games into the season, it's reasonable to assume that the bulk of the negotiations, if not all of them, were done before the season started. And they were close enough that they chose to get it done even if it took a couple extra days.

Teams used to intentionally wait until a few days into the season to announce a deal like this officially even if it had been wrapped up for days/weeks (Adrian Gonzalez in 2011 comes to mind), but that was for CBT/accounting reasons. I could see them waiting to announce this in Yankee Stadium, right before a nationally televised game, just to rub a little extra salt in the wound.
 

Niastri

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I'm honestly surprised we don't see more deals like this. I get that players like to bet on themselves, but if you can guarantee yourself life altering money while still leaving yourself open to another big payday it seems like a no brainer.
No kidding... He's going to get about $10 million after taxes with a max of about $25 million if he pitches well.

If he pitches really well, he's still in his prime for another big contract after that. Huge upside for the player, but a bargain for the team.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Being that it's only two games into the season, it's reasonable to assume that the bulk of the negotiations, if not all of them, were done before the season started. And they were close enough that they chose to get it done even if it took a couple extra days.

Teams used to intentionally wait until a few days into the season to announce a deal like this officially even if it had been wrapped up for days/weeks (Adrian Gonzalez in 2011 comes to mind), but that was for CBT/accounting reasons. I could see them waiting to announce this in Yankee Stadium, right before a nationally televised game, just to rub a little extra salt in the wound.
For sure, but their outright No Deal With Judge announcement was tasty
 

Yaz4Ever

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I’m a fan of this signing and think it works well for both sides, similar to the Story deal. If this is what we should expect from Bloom, I like how he’s doing things.
 

Minneapolis Millers

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I was literally just thinking yesterday (re Devers) that the Sox never get their young players signed long term the way Tampa has with multiple players, from Longoria to Franco.

And then this. I like it a lot. If Whitlock becomes just a solid starter, this is a great deal. For the Sox. And for a pitcher who has already lost time to TJ surgery, it’s a good, secure payday.
 

YTF

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I was literally just thinking yesterday (re Devers) that the Sox never get their young players signed long term the way Tampa has with multiple players, from Longoria to Franco.

And then this. I like it a lot. If Whitlock becomes just a solid starter, this is a great deal. For the Sox. And for a pitcher who has already lost time to TJ surgery, it’s a good, secure payday.
Whitlock as a solid starter is where I would love to see him. It would fill a huge need moving forward, but that's not a bad contract for a lock down closer if that were to be in the cards somewhere down the road.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I was literally just thinking yesterday (re Devers) that the Sox never get their young players signed long term the way Tampa has with multiple players, from Longoria to Franco.

And then this. I like it a lot. If Whitlock becomes just a solid starter, this is a great deal. For the Sox. And for a pitcher who has already lost time to TJ surgery, it’s a good, secure payday.
The Sox actually have signed multiple young players to long term deals like the Rays have (if we're looking at a similar timeframe): Pedroia, Youkilis, Lester, Buchholz, Bogaerts, and now Whitlock all signed extensions that bought out the remainder of their pre-arb/arb years and first couple years of potential free agency. I think the biggest difference is that the Rays have had more young players come up and quickly become an important part of their team whereas the Sox have traded away as many top prospects for big money talent (whether the prospects panned out or not) as they have had come up and contribute extensively with them. Also, I expect there's a tendency to have the guys who insisted on going year-to-year and then free agency stick out in our minds more: Papelbon, Ellsbury, Betts.
 

Soxfan in Fla

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Looks like a good deal for both sides with team control through the player's age 32 season should the options be exercised. We like it just like most of us approved of the Sale and Barnes extensions.
This is way different though. The $$$ the Sox are definitely on the hook for are minor if his arm blows up. If he really blossoms into a stud pitcher he’s an absolute bargain through the two option years.
 

Minneapolis Millers

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The Sox actually have signed multiple young players to long term deals like the Rays have (if we're looking at a similar timeframe): Pedroia, Youkilis, Lester, Buchholz, Bogaerts, and now Whitlock all signed extensions that bought out the remainder of their pre-arb/arb years and first couple years of potential free agency. I think the biggest difference is that the Rays have had more young players come up and quickly become an important part of their team whereas the Sox have traded away as many top prospects for big money talent (whether the prospects panned out or not) as they have had come up and contribute extensively with them. Also, I expect there's a tendency to have the guys who insisted on going year-to-year and then free agency stick out in our minds more: Papelbon, Ellsbury, Betts.
Thanks. I was thinking more like 6-8 years when I said long term, but you’re right, they did buy out some FA time for each of those guys. You’re also right that more good young players have had the PT opportunity with Tampa that they haven’t quite had with Boston.
 

tims4wins

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Phenomenal performance today: 4 IP, 0 H, 2 K, 1 BB and the W in relief.

They're going to have to be very careful about managing his workload. He only threw 73 innings last year. 2 appearances per week, 2-3 innings per, only use him when tied or ahead. Maximize his value. I doubt they want him going much higher than 100 IP this year.
 

bluefenderstrat

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Phenomenal performance today: 4 IP, 0 H, 2 K, 1 BB and the W in relief.

They're going to have to be very careful about managing his workload. He only threw 73 innings last year. 2 appearances per week, 2-3 innings per, only use him when tied or ahead. Maximize his value. I doubt they want him going much higher than 100 IP this year.
39 pitches, so it only counts for one inning in Dice-K units.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Phenomenal performance today: 4 IP, 0 H, 2 K, 1 BB and the W in relief.

They're going to have to be very careful about managing his workload. He only threw 73 innings last year. 2 appearances per week, 2-3 innings per, only use him when tied or ahead. Maximize his value. I doubt they want him going much higher than 100 IP this year.
I think the goal is to eventually move him to the rotation, so I expect 120 innings or so is the target for this year, then 150+ next year.
 

Sox Puppet

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Can't argue with the results today, but it would be mildly disappointing if his main role on the team this year is to be Rich Hill's binky.
 

A Bad Man

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The notion of more or less penciling in a weekly rest day for the entire bullpen sans Whitlock Warlock is intriguing.
 

Just a bit outside

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Can't argue with the results today, but it would be mildly disappointing if his main role on the team this year is to be Rich Hill's binky.
I think this is just a way to keep his innings down until Hill gets hurt and Whitlock becomes the starter. Pretty ingenious way of getting the best out of both guys.
 

greek_gawd_of_walks

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I thought Cora's post game comments in regards to pairing Whitlock with Hill were pretty enlightening. Getting the lineup loaded with righties, completely different arsenal and how advantageous it is having Whitlock following Craggy Peak against the other team's lineup in the middle innings where it's less certain you pinch hit for people as opposed to later innings, although today Whit feasted to the end of the game. Sounded as if this was a gameplan that he and Bloom talked about a lot. Also said something about how it's the same idea of having Houck follow a guy like Sale, although I have no idea what that was in reference to. I still don't think it's optimal to designate one day for a guy as valuable as Whitlock in a prescribed MiL kind of strategy, but the results were positive today. Very fucking positive. I hope today gave Whitlock even more confidence to attack with his fastball early, because there are quick outs to be had with a fastball as dynamic and moving as his. Quick outs are the ultimate friend, not strikeouts (unless it's a no contact, runner on third, less than two outs scenario).

What a goddamn find.
 
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Red(s)HawksFan

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I thought Cora's post game comments in regards to pairing Whitlock with Hill were pretty enlightening. Getting the lineup loaded with righties, completely different arsenal and how advantageous it is having Whitlock following Craggy Peak against the other team's lineup in the middle innings where it's less certain you pinch hit for people as opposed to later innings, although today Whit feasted to the end of the game. Sounded as if this was a gameplan that he and Bloom talked about a lot. Also said something about how it's the same idea of having Houck follow a guy like Sale, although I have no idea what that was in reference to. I still don't think it's optimal to designate one day for a guy as valuable as Whitlock in a prescribed MiL kind of strategy, but the results were positive today.

What a goddamn find.
I don't know if it will be a firm regular thing only with Hill. I think if the Sox hadn't come back to tie today's game in the 6th, we might not have seen him. At least not while they were still trailing. Odds are they'll be aiming to pair him with Hill since strategically it would be the best contrast, but depending on need, he will probably be used to follow others as well (like he was on Friday).

As for Houck, it could be they envision him sliding into a similar role and pairing primarily with Sale once Sale returns. That might be how they intend to control Houck's innings since he's probably still not up for a full season's starter load (150-160+ innings).
 

greek_gawd_of_walks

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I don't know if it will be a firm regular thing only with Hill. I think if the Sox hadn't come back to tie today's game in the 6th, we might not have seen him. At least not while they were still trailing. Odds are they'll be aiming to pair him with Hill since strategically it would be the best contrast, but depending on need, he will probably be used to follow others as well (like he was on Friday).

As for Houck, it could be they envision him sliding into a similar role and pairing primarily with Sale once Sale returns. That might be how they intend to control Houck's innings since he's probably still not up for a full season's starter load (150-160+ innings).
Agreed on both. Definitely see Houck/Sale being a good pairing with how they value what Whitlock provides off of Hill.

All positive developments today in a big way. I think the only hard hit ball off of Whitlock was the ball to end the game by Haase to left really.

The tricky thing with the "pairing" is like you said, the eventual scenario where a blowout ensues in the HillLock game, Whit isn't used and you missed opportunities the game or two before to use him. But such is life, I suppose
 

Sox Puppet

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I enjoyed this read about Whitlock. He seems almost too good to be true.

“For me, I just want to have a servant’s heart,” Whitlock said. “That’s my biggest thing. I grew up and my dad and mom drilled it in my head: It’s all about other people. And so for me, I want to serve people as much as I can. I want to love others. That’s what I feel like my real purpose is here is just love other people and show the grace and the gratitude that I’ve been shown. So that’s why I want to do that. Anything I can do to help anybody out. That’s what I love having beers ready for guys whenever they want it and stuff like that. It’s something I can do to show gratitude and just try to show my servant heart to people.”
 

DeadlySplitter

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Whitlock was warming when it was 3-1 Tigers, I think he was coming in regardless. Certainly made Cora/Chaim look great today when they tied it that inning.
 

Rovin Romine

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That’s like the sort of thing you’d hear from an actual saint or something.
Depends on where you hear it.

Whitlock is from central GA, got private schooling at a Christian school, then went to U.Alabama. He's a publicly self-professed Christian on social media. From the overall context, I'd guess he's chosen a variety of southern born-again faith. In that context, the "servant's heart" is fairly par for the course.

FWIW, I don't think that's determinative of anything. I've met people who mouth concepts like that but are nevertheless privledged, insularly un-civic, and racist. I've also met good people with the same background who truly do get it, in a very outward-looking and humanity-affirming way.

Personally, I tend to view people making public statements like that as a bit of an intensifier. Either you're using a very powerful concept as cover for a non-examined life, or you're setting a high bar for yourself. I'd be very pleased to find out Whitlock (or anyone) is closer to the latter. As there's nothing to indicate otherwise, I'm inclined to take him at his word. In fact, it's nice to see him reminding himself what matters, in the context of getting some long-term financial stability for himself and his family.

I wish him the very best, on the field and off it.
 

BaseballJones

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He honestly sounds like a guy who's just thrilled to be a major league pitcher and almost can't believe his good fortune. Which, frankly, is an attitude I like. It's the opposite of feeling entitled.