According to Peter Gammons of ESPN.com, the Boston Red Sox are set to sign former Rays OF Rocco Baldelli to be their 4th outfielder. The announcement could come at tomorrow night’s Boston Baseball Writers’ Association Dinner.
Baldelli recently underwent a series of tests as Massachusetts General Hospital and the results were positive. The Red Sox were struck by Baldelli’s persona and are optimistic he can be a significant contributor in 2009.
Baldelli is a Rhode Island native and will probably end up being a fan favorite at Fenway due to his local ties in similar fashion to NESN analyst Lou Merloni.
In 5 years, the last 3 of which he’s only played only 155 games, Baldelli is a career .281 hitter with 52 home runs and 234 RBIs. In 23 games at Fenway Park, Baldelli has hit only .231 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs.
If Baldelli stays healthy, I fully expect to be a solid contributer to the Red Sox as a right handed bat off the bench and he’ll be able to spell Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew as well.
