Red Sox sign free-agent pitcher David Price to $217 million deal

Boston got him to sign on the dotted line by offering a seven year contract worth $217 million, which averages out to approximately $31 million a season.

If Price doesn’t decide to opt out of the deal after three seasons, he will be making $84,931.50 a day until he’s 37.

That is about $140 million more than it would have taken to sign their past ace, Jon Lester, before he bolted a year ago in free agency when the Red Sox were busy signing a bunch of offense and letting all of their pitching go. More than $2 million over what the Los Angeles Dodgers paid Clayton Kershaw. He was a huge get for the Red Sox to keep their ace in place as they build around the staff around him.

Price went 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA last season with the Tigers and Blue Jays. [ Photo by Leon Halip / Getty Images ]Last season, Price played for the Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays, who were 15 games ahead of Boston and actually won the AL East division.

Dave Dombrowski is certainly changing things up for the Boston Red Sox.

Price has a 3.09 ERA in eight major league seasons with 1,372 strikeouts and 104 wins. Price is the second significant move for Dombrowski in his tenure with the Red Sox, as the team acquired closer Craig Kimbrel in a trade with the Padres last month.

Dombrowski was praised in 2013 for locking up a Cy Young Award-winning right-hander who made batters shudder with a flaming fastball and buckle at the knees with a 12-6 curveball.

He then declared that his ace would probably have to come from the free agent market because he didn’t want to empty the Sox farm system.

As for the Yankees’ reaction to such a move, we’ll see whether they make a big splash in the coming weeks, but Price landing in Boston hardly comes as a surprise.

The Red Sox were rumored to be one of the most heavy suitors for Price with their seemingly unlimited financial resources. Plus, Price is still just 30 years old. In fact, the Red Sox have given Price the largest contract ever to a pitcher. JD, Joey Bats, Edwing and Tulo should be able to tee off of the left handed throwing Price once that velocity drops and the Red Sox won’t know what hit them.

At first look, the Red Sox seems to have no room for the veteran outfielder since their lineup is already filled with talented youngsters.

Reports are also stating that the Sox won’t stop at Price, looking to add at least one more arm both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen.