Steve Pearce: ‘There’s nowhere I’d rather play’
He considers himself lucky that the free agent process was so simple this time around.
Steve Pearce said there’s nowhere he’d rather play than Boston.
The reigning World Series Most Valuable Player, who in November agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox, told reporters Thursday he’s eager to play at least one more season with the team he rooted for as a kid.
“This is where I want to be,” Pearce said. “I want to be able to defend our title here.”
Pearce said the World Series feels like it happened so long ago. He’s ready for next season to begin and anxious to keep this run of success going.
He noted that he admired how much fun it looked like the Red Sox were having before he arrived, adding that he felt lucky to witness that mojo in person when he came to Boston.
STEVE PEARCE says no place he would rather be than BOSTON: https://t.co/Zk6j0OmxqG via @YouTube
— CLNS Media (@CLNSMedia) January 17, 2019
Pearce said he knew as he was accepting the MVP trophy that he wanted to stay with the club. Less than three weeks later, the Red Sox confirmed they wanted the same.
He’s had to go through the free agent process before, and said it’s not fun when the market is the way it currently is. Pearce knows many players are frustrated right now, and he believes he’s fortunate that he didn’t have to endure what they’re going through.
Sometimes it can be a frustrating decision, he acknowledged, so he’s glad it was so simple this time around. The journeyman has played with all five American League East teams, but he’s found a home in Boston for at least one more season.
“I’m living the dream right now,” he said.
