When Can We Start Worrying About David Price?

After allowing six runs in back-to-back starts against the New York Yankees, many Red Sox fans are left asking the same question - when can we start worrying about David Price? 

Historically, Price has been a slow starter as evidenced by his 4.08 ERA in the months of March and April versus a 2.99 ERA for all other months combined. What has been most alarming for Sox fans, however, is an overall lack of command and velocity.

Price's fastball barely touched 93 MPH on Saturday, a big difference from the 95-96 MPH fans were expecting when the Red Sox inked the southpaw to a $217 million contract. The dip in velocity has allowed opponents to take better advantage of his mistakes leading to an increase in hard contact as well as walks. Price's 2.9 BB/9 ratio is his highest since 2010 and his 1.379 WHIP is the highest of his career.

“I feel like the more velocity that you have, the more mistakes you get away with,” Price stated after the game. “Right now, I’m not getting away with mistakes or good pitches, for that matter. That’s part of it. They hit some good pitches today.”

Although both Price and Red Sox manager John Farrell have said that physically there is nothing wrong, one can't help but wonder what is causing such a drastic change. Sure it is early in the season, but according to RedSoxStats.com his hardest thrown fastball of 93.54 MPH yesterday was the lowest in a game in his entire career. 

Pitching coach Carl Willis hinted that perhaps the velocity will return, as it is common for power pitchers to get better as the year goes on and the weather warms up. Price's average game-time temperature has been 55.14 degrees, which isn't exactly ideal but doesn't explain such a huge loss in velocity, either.

“[The difference] is something I’ve got to figure out," Price explained. "That’s something I definitely take pride in and feel like I’ve done extremely well throughout my career - being able to make adjustments on the fly, whether it’s pitch-to-pitch or game-to-game or day-to-day."

Red Sox fans can only hope Price can make those adjustments and get back to the dominance he built his reputation on. After back-to-back losses to the Yankees and some glaring red flags from a physical stand point, fans have every right to be worried.

Would the Red Sox be Wise to Trade Dustin Pedroia?

(Photo Credit: Forrest Mulheron/New England Baseball Media)

By: Forrest Mulheron

Dustin Pedroia has been a mainstay in the lineup and face of the Boston franchise since 2007, but is it time the Red Sox move on from the second baseman?

There is no doubt Pedroia, a Woodland, CA native, is one of the fiercest competitors in the game. He brings an unparalleled intensity and has the dirt dog attitude Red Sox fans love. Pedroia's maximum effort on the field has not come without it's downside, he has found himself on the disabled list several times going back to 2010.

(Photo Credit: Forrest Mulheron)

Pedroia is under contract through the 2021 campaign and coming into this season has accrued nine years of major league service time. Once Pedroia reaches 10 years of service time, the Red Sox will not be able to trade him without his consent as part of MLB's 10-5 rule. His current contact contains a limited no-trade clause, but that only covers a small number of teams according to reports.

Despite Pedroia's popularity among teammates and fans alike, it may be time the Red Sox begin considering the potential returns they could get for the All-Star second baseman.

Pedroia signed a very team-friendly contract extension during the 2013 season worth seven years and $110 million. Coming into the 2016 season he is owed salaries of $13M, $15M, $16M, $15M, $13M and $12M. Despite being 32 years old and prone to injury, those would be highly attractive numbers to almost any team considering the $20M+ contracts lesser players are getting on the open market.

It is no secret the Red Sox are getting younger with names like Betts, Bogaerts and Swihart expected to be mainstays of Boston's lineup for years to come. After trading several top prospects to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Craig Kimbrel, Pedroia could bring a return that would add to a farm system that is still considered one of the best in the game - or even a major league player ready to add to this season's playoff run.

Last March, the Red Sox signed young Cuban phenom, Yoan Moncada, to a deal worth $31.5 in guaranteed money. Moncada plays second base, and although he looked rough around the edges last year on defense, he carries tremendous offensive potential and would make an obvious replacement for Pedroia in the future.

Until then, the Red Sox have other options that could be considered. Mookie Betts was a second baseman until being moved to center field while with the Portland Sea Dogs in May of 2014. With veteran David Murphy in Red Sox camp this spring, they could consider moving Betts back to second and starting Murphy in right field - granted he doesn't exercise his opt-out at the end of spring training.

This is of course just heavy speculation, but it is an interesting thought to consider trading Pedroia before the season's end - no matter how unlikely it may be.

Teams Showing Interest in Ryan Hanigan

(Photo Credit: Forrest Mulheron/New England Baseball Media)

Teams Showing Interest in Ryan Hanigan

MLB Trade Rumors reported yesterday that according to one National League executive, numerous teams have shown an interest in veteran Red Sox catcher and Massachusetts native, Ryan Hanigan.

For now it appears unlikely that the Red Sox would be willing to move Hanigan while the young catching tandem of Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez gain more major league experience, but that could change as things play themselves out over the course of the season.

Hanigan missed a large portion of last year after a freak incident in which he broke his finger on a riccochet of Mark Teixeira's bat, but was solid in the 54 games he did play in slashing .247/.337/.328 while providing above-average defense behind the plate.

The Red Sox acquired Hanigan in a trade with the San Diego Padres in exchange for Will Middlebrooks. He will earn $3.7 million this season and has a team option for 2017 worth $3.75 million.