Red Sox, Price agree on $217M contract

The Boston Red Sox and marquee free-agent left-hander David Price agreed on a seven-year, $217 million contract. Price, 30, was considered with Zack Greinke as the top two free agent pitchers. But Price's contract is the largest given to a starting pitcher. Price's contract dwarfs the six-year, $155 million contract the Cubs gave Jon Lester last winter. Much was made of the Cubs' hopes of landing Price because he pitched for manager Joe Maddon with the Tampa Bay Rays. But the Cubs are looking to add two starting pitchers and Price's contract would have placed financial stress on addressing their needs. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Price's contract includes an opt-out clause after three seasons.