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Globe, Herald Reporting That Kotsay Will Be Returning To Red Sox
By Administrator | January 10, 2009
The Boston Globe and Boston Herald are reporting that the Red Sox have an agreement in place with OF/1B Mark Kotsay on a one-year deal. Both papers are reporting that the ‘agreement in principle’ will be pending until Kotsay passes a physical exam (to be administered when he returns from vacationing in the Caribbean).
At the end of last season, Kotsay said that while he had enjoyed his time in Boston he preferred to offer his services on the free agent market… it was expected that he might be able to get a multi-year deal as a starter on another team at $3 - $4 million annually. But the floundering economy has had the effect of collapsing the free agent market… that caused Kotsay to adjust his expectations (and salary demands) downwards. Enter the Red Sox.
Kotsay’s versatility (he can play both the outfield and infield) means the Sox can get by with only four players on their bench, allowing manager Terry Francona to carry twelve pitchers on his staff. In ‘09, it is expected that he will back up Kevin Youkilis at first base and Jacoby Ellsbury in center field… he’ll also serve as a left-handed pinch hitter off the bench.
He hit .226, with 12 RBI, in twenty-two regular-season games with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves on August 27th. In the post-season, he started at first base after 3B Mike Lowell was sidelined with a hip injury (as Kevin Youkilis moved from first base to third base).
The Herald’s Sean McAdam reported that Kotsay will receive a $1.5 million base salary, plus incentives.
Topics: Sox Front Office, Sox Players, SoxTransactions |
