December 13, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Sox bring back MLFA's Granadillo, Bailey, sign 6 others
The Boston Red Sox have announced the signings of RHP Scott Atchison, RHP Lee Gronkiewicz, C Kevin Cash, 1B/DH Jeff Bailey, 2B Tony Granadillo, 3B Keith Ginter, 2B Joe Thurston and SS Gil Velazquez to minor league contracts. All have been assigned to Pawtucket except Granadillo, who has been assigned to Portland. Bailey and Granadillo return to the Sox system after having spent 2007 with Pawtucket and Lancaster/Portland respectively. Cash also retuns, having spent the last six weeks of 2007 in Boston filling in for the injured Doug Mirabelli. Gronkiewicz posted good numbers splitting time between AA New Hampshire and AAA Syracuse in the Toronto system after starring in relief for the U.S. at the 2007 World Cup. Atchison posted a 4.11 ERA in 22 appearances with San Francisco in 2007. He also spent time with AAA Fresco (Giants). Ginter, who last appeared in the majors in 2005 with Oakland, spent 2007 at AAA Buffalo (Indians). Thurston, a formerly well regarded prospect in the Dodgers system, spent the bulk of the 2007 at AAA Ottawa (Phillies). He has appeared in 55 big league games with Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Velazquez spent 2007 in the Minnesota system, making stops at AA New Britain and AAA Rochester.