Bargain Hunters by Jared Carrabis
Sox add Baldelli and Smoltz for cheap


Fourth outfielder, check. Add to pitching depth, check.

It’s official former Rays outfielder and native of Rhode Island, Rocco Baldelli, has been brought on board as Boston’s fourth outfielder on a one-year deal. Baldelli will earn a base salary of $500,000 with includes roster bonuses that could escalate his paycheck another $1.75 million if he is to stay healthy and away from any time on the disabled list throughout the 2009 season.

On top of his roster bonuses, Baldelli can see his total pay rise to $5.25 million if he is to make 600 plate appearances. Although this many plate appearances is not likely unless something catastrophic happens to an every day starter in the Red Sox outfield, Baldelli can find comfort in knowing that there are escalators in his contract starting at a more realistic 325 plate appearances.

Baldelli’s biggest challenge in 2009 will not be to rise to the expectations of the Boston fans, rather it will be to remain healthy enough to contribute. Baldelli suffered injuries worthy of some time on the disabled list in 2005 (torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee) and in 2007 (hamstring). In 2008, doctors had originally “discovered” that Baldelli suffered from a mitochondrial disorder that caused extreme fatigue in his muscles.

He remained out of action all season long before getting his first at bat on August 10 playing 13 games in the month of August with a .351 batting average. However, in 15 games in the month of September, Baldelli hit just .186 before going on to bat .200 in the postseason (.167 in World Series). The native of Rhode Island appeared in just 28 games for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and batted .263 in 80 at bats for the American League Champions.

The Red Sox were originally planning to award Baldelli with this year’s Tony Conigliaro award, an award given to the player that best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, tonight at the 70th annual Boston Baseball Writers Dinner. However, the presentation of this honorable award will also second as the public announcement of his signing with the Boston Red Sox.

The other big story coming out of Boston today would be that Hall of Fame pitcher to be, John Smoltz, will be donning the new Red Sox uniforms at Fenway Park this season according to ESPN. Sources say that Smoltz has agreed to a one-year deal to leave Atlanta and join the Red Sox where in his back pocket will be 210 career victories and 154 saves.

The right-hander will earn a base salary of $5.5 million but with incentives in his new deal he can see his total pay rise another $5 million. The Red Sox are continuing their method of bargain spending to bring contributions in small amounts rather than one fat check to put the pressure on one big name star to carry this team. Remember, it takes 25 guys to win a championship, not one.

Smoltz will provide a veteran presence in the Red Sox clubhouse and he also brings a truckload of postseason experience with him being a part of multiple October bound teams in Atlanta including a World Series championship team in 1995. The right-hander will most likely not find himself on a mound during a Major League game until the month of June but Smoltz feels that he still has some gas left in the tank and wants to be part of another run at October here in Boston.

-Jared Carrabis

Published on January 08, 2009

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