According to reports, Floyd will receive $4 million in 2014 with a chance of earning an additional $4.5 million in incentives.
The right-hander went 0-4 with a 5.18 ERA in five starts for the Sox in 2013. He underwent elbow surgery in May to repair tears in his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon.
The Braves are hoping Floyd will return to the mound in May.
What's interesting about this deal is that Floyd, a Baltimore-area product, turned down a two-year offer from the Orioles that could have been worth as much as $20 million with incentives.
A report in The Baltimore Sun said the Orioles were not interested in giving Floyd a one-year deal because he will not pitch until May, and the club coveted his services for more than one year. Floyd declined the offer because he desires to go back on the free agent market next offseason, presumably believing he could earn a more lucrative contract if he proves he's healthy in 2013.
Give Floyd full marks for betting on himself. This is a gamble on his part. There aren't too many pitchers coming off major elbow surgery that would turn down a multiyear offer.
If I were Floyd and fully confident in my recovery, I'd take that bet, too. Especially when you look at the money given to guys like Jason Vargas and Ricky Nolasco. That's if you don't think he could reach for near Matt Garza money without the injury.
ReplyDeleteThat's probably why Baltimore offered what seems like more money -- so they could have the second affordable year. Though maybe they guaranteed wasn't really that far off what the Braves were offering. We can't say for sure, but if the money was close, getting another crack at the free agent market within a year is probably much more attractive than settling for an extra million or so upfront.
I imagine that was probably the sticking point with the Sox, and why they went with Felipe Paulino instead. He was willing to do a team-friendly option.