Jon Lester isn’t the only familiar face the Boston Red Sox should consider inviting back to the party.
The Red Sox offered free-agent pitcher Justin Masterson a one-year contract, according to multiple reports. Masterson, who was drafted by Boston in 2006, is coming off a disappointing season but represents a solid buy-low option on the open market given his track record of success.
Make no mistake, Masterson was abysmal in 2014. The right-hander went 7-9 with a 5.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 28 appearances (25 starts) split between the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals, who acquired Masterson in exchange for minor leaguer James Ramsey in July, eventually booted the 29-year-old from their rotation and left him off their National League Division Series and NL Championship Series rosters.
Much of Masterson’s struggles stemmed from a lack of control and a dramatic dip in velocity. His 4.8 walks per nine innings were by far the most he’s issued since 2009 — his first taste of being a full-time starter — and his average fastball velocity was down to 90.3 mph, according to FanGraphs. By comparison, Masterson’s average fastball velocity in 2013 was 93.1 mph.
Masterson’s fastball — specifically, the lack of separation between the pitch and his secondary stuff — was his biggest bugaboo in 2014. However, his slider and his sinker also weren’t up to par, in large because they, too, experienced a drop in velocity. Masterson’s slider (a sweeping pitch geared toward generating swing and miss) went from an average velocity of 91.1 mph in 2013 to 88.5 mph in 2014. His sinker (a pitch designed to induce ground balls) went from 82.9 mph to 80.9 mph.
The lackluster stuff painted a bleak picture for Masterson, and a change of scenery did little to help his cause. But it’s worth noting that Masterson dealt with shoulder, rib and knee injuries throughout the season. It isn’t outrageous to think his struggles were in some way related to his ailments.
Assuming Masterson is fully healthy, there’s reason to believe 2015 could be a bounce-back campaign, especially if he spends it in Boston. Masterson would reunite with his former pitching coach and current Red Sox manager John Farrell, who worked under Terry Francona when Masterson first broke into the majors in 2008. He’d also work with current Red Sox pitching coach Juan Nieves, who saw plenty of Masterson in the American League Central while serving as the Chicago White Sox’s bullpen coach for five seasons from 2008 through 2012.
Masterson was an All-Star as recently as 2013. That season, he led the majors with a 58 percent ground ball rate. He ranked seventh in the AL with a career-best 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Since the beginning of 2011, only three pitchers with at least 80 starts — Charlie Morton, Jake Westbrook and Alex Cobb — have better ground ball rates than Masterson’s 56.5 percent, which is a trait that could serve the righty well pitching at Fenway Park on a consistent basis.
Obviously, Masterson isn’t a Plan B to Lester. It’s even possible he could wind up in the bullpen if he stumbles out of the gate next season. But if Masterson is willing to accept a one- or two-year contract in the hopes of re-establishing his value before again testing the open market, the Red Sox would be wise to take a flier, especially since Boston won’t need to forfeit a draft pick to sign him. If nothing else, he’ll have a chip on his shoulder.
Some good players have bad seasons. Masterson’s 2014 was brutal, but it also could be an aberration.
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
