December 28, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Sox bring back Josh Bard
According to the Providence Journal, the Red Sox have signed free-agent C Josh Bard to a non-guaranteed one-year contract worth $1.7 million. The deal could be worth up to $2.5 million including incentives in 2009, and includes a club option for 2010. Bard spent last season with the San Diego Padres, putting up .202/.279/.270 numbers to go with 9 doubles, 1 home run, and 16 RBI in 178 at bats. He was originally acquired by the Red Sox following the 2005 season alongside Coco Crisp and David Riske in a trade that sent Kelly Shoppach, Guillermo Mota, and Andy Marte to Cleveland. Bard played in only 7 games with Boston in 2006 before being dealt to San Diego with Cla Meredith in exchange for Doug Mirabelli.A six-year veteran, the switch-hitting Bard owns career .265/.333/.395 numbers with 28 home runs and 168 RBI in 431 games played with Cleveland, Boston, and San Diego. At this point, Bard is not expected to be the Red Sox' starting catcher, although he may compete for the job depending on who else the Red Sox add this off season.