November 8, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Red Sox sign outfielder Mitch Maier to minor league contract
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Veteran outfielder Mitch Maier has signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Per Alex Speier of WEEI.com, the deal includes an invitation to spring training.
Maier, 30, appeared in 360 games over six seasons with the Kansas City Royals, posting a career batting line of .248/.327/.344. Originally drafted 30th overall in the 2003 draft, Maier served primarily as the team's fourth outfielder. He saw significant major league playing time in 2009 and 2010, compiling over 800 plate appearances while seeing time at all three outfield positions. His best season was 2010, when he hit .263/.333/.375 in 117 games.
After a difficult start to the 2012 season, Maier was designated for assignment in July. After going unclaimed, he accepted an assignment to Triple-A Omaha of the Pacific Coast League. He hit .288/.385/.424 there and opted for free agency after the season. A plus defensive outfielder at all three spots, Maier will compete for a spot in the Pawtucket outfield in spring training, where he would provide organizational depth.
In other news, outfielder Ronald Bermudez has also resigned with Boston on a minor league deal, according to SoxProspects.com sources. Bermudez will join the Red Sox organization for an eighth season. Originally signed out of Venezuela in 2005, the 24-year-old split the season between Pawtucket and Double-A Portland, hitting .254/.290/.353.
With the signings, the outfield situation in Pawtucket is growing quite crowded, even with the recent loss of Che-Hsuan Lin. In the current SoxProspects.com roster projection, done before the Maier signing, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Ryan Kalish, Bryce Brentz, and Juan Carlos Linares would all be slated to see starter-level playing time in the Pawtucket lineup, with Alex Hassan on the bench and Bermudez serving as roster depth. Maier's addition provides depth should any of those players get injured or, in the case of Kalish, begin the season in Boston.
With the signings, the outfield situation in Pawtucket is growing quite crowded, even with the recent loss of Che-Hsuan Lin. In the current SoxProspects.com roster projection, done before the Maier signing, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Ryan Kalish, Bryce Brentz, and Juan Carlos Linares would all be slated to see starter-level playing time in the Pawtucket lineup, with Alex Hassan on the bench and Bermudez serving as roster depth. Maier's addition provides depth should any of those players get injured or, in the case of Kalish, begin the season in Boston.
Photo Credit: Mitch Maier at milb.com