Price 'ready to have best year' with Red Sox
David Price enters the 2018 season armed with a clean slate, a healthy left elbow, and a renewed sense of confidence.
The Boston Red Sox left-hander pitched in a controlled minor-league game Monday and came out of it feeling healthy - an encouraging sign after he missed all but 74 2/3 innings last season due to recurring elbow soreness.
"I feel good right now," Price said, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
Price is entering year three of his seven-year, $217-million deal signed prior to the 2016 season. He's already stated he doesn't intend to opt out of his contract at the end of the season and is looking forward to putting an up-and-down first two years behind him.
"I think I'm ready to have my best year," Price said. "I just haven't had two good years here. If I would have had an average year for myself (it would) still be my best year here, by far. I look to go out there and dominate like I know I'm capable of doing, and that's what I expect to do."
While it wasn't a Cy Young-caliber season, Price's first year in Boston should be viewed positively. He went 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts while leading the majors with 230 innings. His sophomore season was more turbulent, as he was sidelined twice due to injury and was involved in a highly-publicized battled with Hall of Famer and team broadcaster Dennis Eckersley.
Price acknowledged his injury troubles - something he had never dealt with before - were at the root of his poor attitude, and his renewed health leaves him much more optimistic about the upcoming season.
"All I could think about was my elbow and how I wanted it to get better and not be an issue anymore. I think that's all I thought about when I was on the DL," Price said. "I wanted no part of baseball. It was tough. To not be able to contribute or even work on your craft at all. That was tough.
"I will always appreciate baseball. Even if last year was rock bottom, it's OK. This is a game I fell in love with at two years old. Only being hurt can steal my joy from baseball. It kind of made me mad at the world."