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There was a time when the Boston Red Sox were almost as sorry a franchise as the Chicago Cubs. Sure they had made the World Series a few times, but they always managed to lose. As a Yankees fan I liked those Red Sox. Then 2004 happened and the world turned all topsy-turvy. Now the Red Sox are a premiere franchise and almost as hated as the Yankees. Although the team has been successful on the field, they haven't always been so successful in free agent signings. Four of the worst free agent signings in team history have taken place since 2004. Just missing the cut are some big names like Jack Clark, Andre Dawson, and Mike Cameron(notes). Here are the top five free agent mistakes.
5. Matt Clement: In 2004 the Red Sox signed Clement to a 3 year/$25 million contract. Clement had one decent season, or more accurately first half of a season, in 2005. He actually was named to the All-Star team in 2005, but the next two years he battled shoulder injuries. Over his time with Boston, Clement had an earned run average over 5.00. Clement was always known as a guy with great stuff, he just needed someone to teach him how to use it. Unfortunately Clement was never more than a mediocre pitcher.
4. J.D. Drew(notes): Heading into the 2007 season the Red Sox were looking for another big bat and signed Drew to a 5 year/$70 million deal. For their money the Red Sox have a guy that has averaged 19 home runs and 66 runs batted in a season. Drew has also missed an average of 30 per season with a plethora of aches, pains, and boo boos. If not for a grand slam in the 2007 post season, Drew probably would have been run off the field by fans by now. Instead the fans know they just have to survive one more year of his horrible contract.
3. Julio Lugo(notes): One of the worst kept secrets in 2006 was the man crush Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein had on shortstop Julio Lugo. Epstein would get his man, signing Lugo to a 4 year/$36 million contract. His first year in Boston Lugo struggled with a batting average of .237. Year two wasn't any better as he played in just 82 of 162 games. By the end of year three Lugo was shipped off to the St. Louis Cardinals.
2. Matt Young: Coming off an 18 loss season with the Seattle Mariners, Young received a 3 year/$6.5 million deal from Boston. The investment didn't pay off as Young collected just three wins and had an ERA of over 5.00. Young struggled with control problems, averaging over 5 walks per 9 innings pitched in his time with Boston. When you are known for throwing a no-hitter, with seven walks and two runs allowed, and you lost the game, that says all you need to know about Young's career.
1. Edgar Renteria(notes): Coming off their historic World Series victory in 2004, the Red Sox were looking for a shortstop. They landed All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria for 4 years at $40 million. Renteria wasn't too bad with the bat in 2005, although he did strikeout 100 times, but was horrible with the glove. He committed 30 errors in 153 games. The Red Sox were so impressed that they shipped him off to the Atlanta Braves for prospect Andy Marte(notes) before the start of the 2006 season. After agreeing to pay a portion of what was left on Renteria's deal, it cost the Red Sox about $22 million for one lousy year.
Honorable mention: Although not a signing, one of Boston's biggest free agent blunders happened in 1980. Owner Haywood Sullivan sent out contracts to All-Stars Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn two days late, allowing both to become free agents. They both signed with new teams, Lynn with the California Angels and Fisk with the Chicago White Sox.
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Sources:
baseball-reference.com
baseball-almanac.com/boxscore/04121992.shtm
/sports.jrank.org/pages/1473/Fisk-Carlton-Left-Red-Sox.htm
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