Another major free agent is off the board as Akira Eto’s bidding war has finally come to an end. The winner? The Boston Red Sox, who secured the Japanese third baseman on a three-year deal averaging $500,000 per year, bringing the total contract value to $1,500,000.
This signing comes just a day after Masaki Saito was locked up by the Cleveland Spiders on a six-year deal averaging $290,000 per year for a total of $1,740,000. Interestingly, Cleveland was also in on Eto but bailed out at the last minute, allowing Boston to secure his services for the next three seasons.
Is Eto Worth the Price?
With a $5 million salary cap, committing 10% of the budget to one player is a risky move. Eto is a solid player, but whether he is worth this financial commitment remains to be seen.
- Defensively: Eto is an above-average third baseman with strong infield ratings.
- At the Plate: He is an average contact (10) and gap hitter (11) with moderate power (14)—meaning he can contribute home runs but isn’t an elite slugger.
- Strikeouts: His Avoid K’s rating of 10 suggests he will strike out a fair amount.
- Speed: He is not a threat on the basepaths, with a speed rating of 4.
A Move for the Fans?
This deal seems more like a move to excite the fanbase rather than a strategic long-term acquisition. While Eto is a decent piece, he doesn’t necessarily shift the balance of power in Boston’s favor. Maybe Cleveland was wise to back out at the last second. They may have seen the risks and decided it wasn’t worth overcommitting.
The Red Sox are taking a gamble—whether it pays off or burns them remains to be seen.