According to Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, the Boston Red Sox have signed free agent 1B/OF Brad Wilkerson to a minor league deal that includes incentives.
MLBTR has learned tonight that the Red Sox have signed outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a minor league deal with roster and playing time incentives. Wilkerson, 31, hit .220/.308/.326 in 309 plate appearances for the Mariners and Blue Jays in 2008. The Ms signed Wilkerson last year for $3MM but designated him for assignment before May.
In 8 seasons, Wilkerson has hit .247 with 122 home runs and 399 RBIs with 53 stolen bases. The highest Wilkerson has ever hit in a season was .268 with Montreal back in 2004. He also finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting back in 2002 to then Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings.
It’s another low-risk, high reward signing for Theo Epstein. My guess is that Wilkerson was signed to provide depth in the outfield in the minors for the Red Sox should an injury occur. Other than that, I just don’t see him making the opening day roster.
Update: Alex Speier of WEEI.com confirms this.
Update 3:30 PM: Alex Speier of WEEI.com has the details.
More on the agreement to terms (pending a physical) between the Red Sox and Brad Wilkerson: it is a minor-league agreement, with Wilkerson making the major-league minimum if called up to the majors. He would, however, receive performance and roster bonuses that could increase the value of the deal to as much as $2.5 million. Wilkerson would get $275,000 for each of the following roster thresholds: 60, 90, 120 and 150 days on the active major-league roster. He could also receive $200,000 bonuses for reaching each of the following numbers of major-league plate appearances: 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500.
