January 13, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Sox sign Shouse to minor league deal
The Red Sox have signed lefty reliever Brian Shouse to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Shouse, 41, went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP for Tampa Bay in 2009, leading to him being labelled a Type B Free Agent this off-season. As this is a minor league deal, Tampa Bay will not receive compensation for the signing. However, Shouse should be given every opportunity to compete for one of the few remaining open spots in Boston's bullpen this spring, and particularly may be in competition with Dustin Richardson to earn a job as the second left-hander out of the Sox pen. Drafted in the 13th round of the 1990 draft by Pittsburgh, the side-armer has pitched for eleven organizations over the past 20 years, including a stint with the Boston organization in 1998, where he put up a 2.90 ERA in 22 games for Pawtucket and appeared in 7 games with the big league club. He also pitched in Japan for 31 games that season. Over his major league career, Shouse is 13-10 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP in 467 games. Often used as a lefty specialist, he's allowed a .213/.262/.330 line over his career against 785 left-handed batters.