MLB Notebook: Luis Guerrero named to the Futures Game, Dinelson Lamet to work on his fastball, Bonilla Day and Manny too

“For him to have the stuff that he has, you have to have not only the ability but you’ve got to have the heart and the courage to overcome what he has overcome and be a guy in that platform,” Cora said.

Sox Add Dinelson Lamet and Assign Him to Worcester to Work on Fastball

The Red Sox added more pitching depth this week after signing former Padres and Rockies righty Dinelson Lamet on a minor league pact. 

The righty was released by the Rockies earlier this month after posting a horrendous 11.57 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old will work on regaining his fastball and ramping his workload back up while with the WooSox.

“We’re trying to get his fastball back,” Cora said Wednesday to reporters. “That’s the most important thing. The velocity’s there but the characteristics of it are not there. We feel like we can make some adjustments with the off-speed pitches. He sees an opportunity here to go to Triple-A and get better and see what happens in the upcoming weeks or months in our situation and get back to the big leagues.”

The expectation for Lamet is to pitch as a starter with Worcester and he could be an option for the Sox after the All-Star break in the rotation.

Lamet has dealt with injuries in the past, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017 and he missed almost all of the 2018 season.

The native of the Dominican Republic turned out a respectable 2019 season following his surgery.

He posted a 3-5 record with a 4.07 ERA in 14 starts in 2019. Lamet pitched to a 2.09 ERA while striking out 93 batters in 69 innings during the shortened 2020 season.

After struggling in 2021, Lamet found a home in Colorado signing a one-year, $5 million pact. His time with the Rockies was up and down which ultimately resulted in his release.

Lamet offers a four-pitch mix, a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider and changeup. His slider which averages 85.9 mph is Lamet’s most utilized pitch, followed by his sinker, four-seam fastball and changeup, per Baseball Savant.

WooSox infielder with July 1 Opt-Out

The Red Sox signed infielder/outfielder Niko Goodrum back in December to a minor-league deal and he was assigned to Triple-A Worcester after spring training. 

The 31-year-old has been a bright spot for Worcester this season. He is hitting .280 with 61 hits, eight home runs, 36 RBI, 49 runs and owns a .888 OPS. 

Goodrum ranks third in the International League with a .448 on-base percentage. 

His time with the Sox organization could come to an end on July 1. The veteran has an opt-out clause in his contract and all signs are pointing to him exercising that option. 

Prior to the WooSox game on Friday night, Goodrum was removed from the lineup and the team elevated Portland Sea Dogs utilityman Tyler McDonough. 

Similar to Goodrum, McDonough can play all over the baseball diamond. He’s played second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions this season for Portland. 

If the WooSox do lose Goodrum, he would become the second veteran to opt out of his deal, with the first being Jorge Alfaro. He was just released by the Rockies on Friday to make room for the returning Kris Bryant. 

While with the WooSox, the team praised Goodrum for his ability to take professional at-bats. No matter how good his approach was and his ability to get on base, it never translated to a promotion to Boston. 

“He’s a pro, very professional,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said of Goodrum’s at-bats to BostonSportsJournal.com. “He swings at strikes, gets deep in counts, manages at-bats, foul things off. You’re watching a guy who has played in the big leagues for a while. He’s got a plan of what he’s trying to do when he goes in there and sticks to it.

“From what I’ve watched, Nico’s experience and the way he manages at-bats and stays off stuff out of the zone. He’s constantly in, like, a 3-1 count,” Tracy said. “I’ve been very impressed with the professionalism of his at-bats and his knowledge of the zone.”

Happy Bobby Bonilla Day to Those Who Celebrate… and Manny Ramírez too

The baseball calendar has flipped from June to July and that means one thing, Bobby Bonilla will earn another $1,193,248.20 from the Mets. 

Bonilla will collect a check from the Mets every year until 2035. 

In 2000, Bonilla and the Mets agreed to a buyout of his remaining $5.9 million salary still owed to him. Instead of getting the money in one lump sum, the team agreed to make annual payments that includes 8% interest for 25 years that began in 2011. He will receive that lump sum every year through 2035. 

Bonilla will be 72 years old when Steve Cohen will stop writing checks.

The Red Sox pay a similar deal to former slugger Manny Ramírez.

The Sox signed Ramírez to a record eight-year, $160 million contract back in 2001 with $20 million options for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. As part of the deal, the Sox agreed to defer $32 million of his salary that would be spread out and paid on July 1st beginning in 2010 through 2026. The former slugger collects $2,028,557 He will collect $24.2 million from the club through 2026. 

Dustin Pedroia will also collect $2 million in deferred money this season from the Sox. Rafael Devers, who signed a 10-year, $331 million extension in January, will be paid through 2043. 

Other current and former players around the league will also receive deferred payments. Ken Griffey Jr. will receive $3.59 million from the Reds through 2024.

The Orioles owe Chris Davis $9.1 million in deferred money this season. His deferred salary is just a tick under Kyle Gibson who is currently on their roster and making $10 million this season. 

Current Mets ace Max Scherzer will receive $105 million from the Nationals that will be paid through 2028. 

Mookie Betts will see $115 million of his deal with the Dodgers be deferred and will be paid without owing interest unlike the Bonilla deal. Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million deal with the Dodgers after he was traded to them in 2020.