MLB Roundup 12/13: Rick Porcello heads to Queens

Mets sign Rick Porcello

A longtime Red Sox is no longer. Rick Porcello hit free agency this winter, and he’s agreed to leave Boston. In fact, he’s leaving the American League all together, signing a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Mets. The Mets, after signing Michael Wacha, now have a sneaky solid rotation, albeit one with some downside at the back end. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman at the top is nice, but Steven Matz, Wacha and Porcello after that has injury and/or underperformance risk all over it. Still, in a division with three very good teams, the Mets need every little edge they can get. Getting superstars would probably be the better play, though. For Porcello, he reportedly had multi-year offers on the table but wants to rebuild his value on a pillow contract.

Sox Spin: I’m going to take a few days to put together some thoughts on Porcello’s Red Sox career, which was never easy to pin down. In lieu of that, I will just say that, while I was never the biggest Porcello fan he’d sure be an upgrade over Martín Pérez.

Brett Gardner staying in pinstripes

The Yankees just signed Gerrit Cole, which will of course (and for good reason) overshadow any other moves they make. They did, however, also bring back Brett Gardner. The outfielder has spent his entire career in New York, and while he was a free agent and the Yankees don’t really need him on their roster, it was a foregone conclusion he would be back. The veteran is coming off a somewhat quietly strong season, to be fair, and with Aaron Hicks out to start the year Gardner will get plenty of time in center field.

Sox Spin: Brett Gardner is a pain in the ass against the Red Sox, and for that reason I am upset he will be coming back.

Austin Romine signs with the Tigers

The Tigers are, well, they are still technically a major-league team, though they are teetering on the edge with this extreme rebuild. Detroit still does, however, have to field a roster, and to that end they signed Austin Romine. I’m going to level with you, it’s late and I don’t really have anything to say about this for either Romine or the Tigers. I sincerely wish them both the best.

Sox Spin: The Red Sox need a backup catcher. Romine is a backup catcher. There are other backup catchers available.