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Sox Sign Local-Guy Baldelli As Fourth Outfielder
By Administrator | January 8, 2009
Prior to this evening’s Boston Baseball Writers’ 70th Awards Dinner, the Red Sox made official what had been speculated for the last several weeks — they have signed Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli to a one-year contract to serve as a reserve outfielder behind Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury and JD Drew.
The formal announcement came only moments after the Associated Press reported that the Sox had reached an agreement with future Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz on a one-year contract.
While neither contract will resonate throughout Red Sox Nation the way signing Mark Teixeira would have, both signings are crucial for the prospects of the 2009 ballclub. Baldelli provides needed depth in the outfield and a right-handed bat off the bench. Smoltz, who is recovering from an injury and will not be ready to pitch until late May, provides a quality arm for the rotation… he strengthens the staff for the summer months and allows the organization to be patient with Clay Buchholz. [And, as we all know, a club can never have enough quality starting pitchers, especially when a couple of them are veterans coming off seasons in which they were hampered by injuries... Penny and Smoltz]
GM Theo Epstein said: “This is a very exciting day for the organization. We’ve admired Rocco from afar for a long time as a player and as a person and we think he is a great fit for this organization going forward. We couldn’t be happier to announce the signing here today”.
Baldelli said: “My family and friends are as crazy as any other Red Sox fans out there. I know the loyalty that these people here have for this team and it’s really an honor for me to be a part of it”.
Baldelli was introduced holding jersey No. 5… so it appears there are no plans to retire the number in honor of Nomah Gahciapahrah.
The club did not announce the terms of Baldelli’s contract. The Boston Globe is reporting that he will earn $500,000 guaranteed, with the possibility of earning another $1.75 million in roster bonuses and as much as $5 million based on plate appearances (which is only likely if circumstances unfold that require him to play full time).
Baldelli hit .263, with only 4 HR and 13 RBI in 28 games for the Rays in 2008. He spent the majority of the year on the disabled list with a mitochondrial disorder. The Sox have done extensive background work on the disorder, which was recently re-diagnosed as channelopathy. There is hope that through diet and medication, he can avoid the muscle fatigue in his legs that nearly ended his career a year ago.
To make room for Baldelli on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated knuckleballer Charlie Zink for assignment.
For his career, Baldelli has a .281 average, with 52 HR and 234 RBI in 447 games.
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Baldelli was voted the winner of this year’s Tony Conigliaro Award, presented by the Boston chapter of the BBWAA to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Tony C. The award was presented at tonight’s awards dinner.
Topics: Sox Front Office, Sox Players |
