Red Sox announce five minor league signings

The Red Sox today officially announced that they signed five minor league free agents. Among the signings were pitchers Terry Doyle, Oscar Villarreal, and Jose De La Torre. Utilityman Drew Sutton (pictured) and outfielder Mitch Maier were also officially inked. 

Doyle's signing was first reported by Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects in early November. The 27-year-old Doyle compiled a 2.83 ERA in 76 1/3 innings pitched for Triple-A Charlotte in the Chicago White Sox system last season before asking for his release and ending the season with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League. 

Villarreal, 31, has been well-traveled in his career, being part of the Arizona, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Colorado, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles (NL) and Baltimore organizations. The right-hander had his best season as a rookie in 2003 with the Diamondbacks, going 10-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 98 innings pitched. His last major league experience was in 2008 with Houston, posting a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings of relief. Last season with Triple-A Norfolk in the Baltimore system, Villarreal was 3-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 68 2/3 innings pitched.

De La Torre, 27, was originally acquired by the Red Sox last summer in a trade with the Cleveland Indians that saw Boston trade infielder Brent Lillibridge. De La Torre spent the majority of last season with Double-A Akron in the Cleveland system, going 7-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 45 innings pitched. The right-hander spent the first six years of his career with the New York Mets organization before signing before the beginning of last season with the Indians. In his six year minor league career, De La Torre has compiled a 26-20 record with a 2.84 ERA across 214 appearances. 

Sutton, 29, returns to the Red Sox organization after spending the 2011 season with Pawtucket and Boston. Sutton appeared in 31 games for Boston, hitting .315/.362/.444 with seven doubles and seven RBI. The utility-man began 2012 with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization before being traded to Tampa Bay in late May. Sutton returned to the Pirates when he was claimed off waivers in late June. 

Maier, 30, was originally reported to have signed in early November. He has appeared in 360 major league games with the Kansas City Royals from 2006-2012. He struggled in the majors in 2012 and was designated for assignment in July and assigned to Triple-A Omaha. In Omaha, Maier hit .288/.385/.424 with  four home runs and 17 RBI.

Photo Credit: Drew Sutton by Kelly O'Connor

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