The MLB Hot Stove is starting to heat up for the Boston Red Sox with the news last night that Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz would be joining the team for this season. And today we learn that the the Baldelli deal is official and that the Smoltz deal should be finalized later this afternoon.
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald has a look at the contract details for Baldelli.
For me I like both deals although I think that the Red Sox should have made a run at Mark Kotsay. He still hasn’t been offered any deals that we know of and his versatility would be an asset to the Red Sox. Who knows, they still may try to sign him.
If both Baldelli and Smoltz can stay healthy, this is a low-risk, high reward proposition for both sides.
Baldelli will provide the Red Sox with a right-handed bat off the bench and could spell Jacoby Ellbury, Jason Bay and J.D. Drew in the outfield or fill-in in the case of an injury. With the health concerns of Baldelli, the 4th outfielder role is perfectly suited for him to prove that if healthy, he can still play the game he loves. Look for Baldelli to become a fan favorite in Boston due to his local ties.
On the other hand, Smoltz won’t be ready until May or June to pitch. He was acquired to provide the Red Sox with some starting pitching depth in a similar fashion to what Bartolo Colon did last year. While Smoltz prefers to remain a starter, he could also end up helping the Red Sox out of the bullpen as well, a bullpen which I feel is one of the best in the American League coming into 2009.
As Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal notes, a catcher is now the primary concern for the Red Sox.
With the lack of offers out there for Jason Varitek, Peter Gammons and Buster Olney of ESPN.com both say that he should have accepted the offer of arbitration from the Red Sox.
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox are building their team piece-by-piece.
Alex Speier of WEEI.com takes a look at the Red Sox buy-low approach during this offseason.
If you missed the news, Dustin Pedroia has been named as the cover athlete for MLB 09 The Show.
Maureen Mullen of the OT takes a look at the Red Sox prospects gathered for the rookie development program.
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald tells us about tonight’s Boston Baseball Writers’ Association Dinner.
The Red Sox also announced some moves yesterday in the Baseball Operations department.
Gary Marbry of WEEI.com has some nuggets on John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli.
The Inside Track gals let us know Dustin Pedroia will be shooting a commercial for a local bank on Friday. Let’s hope he’s learned how to act.
Dan Lamothe of Red Sox Monster has been following the votes for Red Sox great Jim Rice in the Baseball Hall of Fame voting.
