Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Dustin May ended up failing to make an impact on the team after arriving in the midst of the MLB trade deadline.
May developed through the highly regarded Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system. During his rookie year, he impressed with lively stuff that had swing-and-miss movement.
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He threw the ball hard as well, but his young career ended up getting marred by injuries, and this past season, he looked like a shell of his former self.
The Dodgers, facing the idea of losing him in free agency for nothing, decided to ship May eastward to the Red Sox.
May made six appearances for the Red Sox, throwing a total of 28.1 innings. He put up a 5.4 ERA, -0.3 bWAR, and a 77 ERA+. He was well below-average in several metrics, and he allowed hits at his highest rate since entering the league — 11.1 hits per nine innings.
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At the age of 28, there is still time for May to figure out some mechanical changes, but time is slowly running out for a pitcher who had the potential to win a Cy Young award.
Despite his woes, Tim Britton of The Athletic projects May to get a two-year, $26 million contract.
A team needing help in its starting rotation could invest in May’s prior potential and tools, hoping to refine him into a more optimal pitcher.
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May would not be the first pitcher to look lost after several throwing arm procedures, only to figure things out down the line.
A torn flexor tendon back in 2023 and Tommy John surgery in 2021 could have potentially sapped his stuff, but teams tend to bet on these once-promising pitchers, hoping their coaching staff can help them.
Either a rebuilding team looking for a potential value signing or a contending team needing arms could offer May a deal along the lines of what Britton projects.
This may end up being his last big-money deal if he continues to pitch poorly, but he could also end up getting a massive payday in two years.
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