January 7, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Baldelli signing bolsters Sox bench
According to Tom Singer of RedSox.com, the Red Sox have reached a preliminary agreement with outfielder Rocco Baldelli on a one-year contract. Baldelli will receive $500,000 guaranteed, and can earn an additional $1.75 million if on the active roster for the entire 2009 season. The contract also includes incentives based on plate appearances that could push the full value of the deal up to $7.5 million. In 28 games last season, Baldelli accumulated .263/.344/.475 totals with 4 home runs, contributing another 2 home runs in the playoffs for Tampa Bay. Baldelli, 27, has played in only 155 games over the last three seasons due to an apparent mitochondrial disorder that left him fatigued after limited physical activity. However, in December Baldelli's condition was updated to a less-severe and more treatable disorder called channelopathy, and recent treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital have yielded positive results. The Red Sox fully expect Baldelli to be a major contributor in 2009 as a fourth outfielder and right-handed hitter off the bench.
Baldelli finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2003, when he put together a .289/.326/.416 line with 32 doubles, 8 triples, 11 home runs, and 27 stolen bases in 637 at bats. A veteran of six major league seasons, all with Tampa Bay, he owns career .281/.325/.445 numbers with 52 home runs and 234 RBI in 447 games played. Baldelli was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and was originally selected sixth overall by Tampa Bay in the 2000 draft. He will be presented with the Tony Conigliaro Award, given each year by the Boston Baseball Writers’ Association of America to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage, at the Association's dinner Thursday night.
Baldelli finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2003, when he put together a .289/.326/.416 line with 32 doubles, 8 triples, 11 home runs, and 27 stolen bases in 637 at bats. A veteran of six major league seasons, all with Tampa Bay, he owns career .281/.325/.445 numbers with 52 home runs and 234 RBI in 447 games played. Baldelli was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and was originally selected sixth overall by Tampa Bay in the 2000 draft. He will be presented with the Tony Conigliaro Award, given each year by the Boston Baseball Writers’ Association of America to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage, at the Association's dinner Thursday night.