Rocco Baldelli to sign with Red Sox

by revigik on Jan 7, 2009 9:54 PM EST

"Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox are close to signing outfielder Rocco Baldelli to be the team's fourth outfielder. Baldelli will be a guest at tomorrow night's Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where he will receive the 2008 Tony Conigliaro Award. The deal is expected to be announced then. We're working on confirming this, and we'll let you know when it is confirmed." -Source: Boston Globe's Extra Bases

Very predictable move. As long as there is not any problem with him not playing every day, I like him off the bench. Though I still think the team needs some hitting depth better than last year's. Hopefully Theo figures out a way to address this issue.

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I just posted this in another thread, but it fits better here

Congrats on landing Rocco. I wish him the best as he was my favorite player for three years and one of the few bright spots through endlessly unexciting seasons. You’re getting a hell of a ballplayer and if you can use him right he could be a very valuable piece.

Would he possibly play RF for you guys against lefties to keep Drew and Rocco healthy? I know J. D. is death on righties and I’m sure with the bases loaded and D. Price on the mound you might rather have Rocco at the plate.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, a

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 7, 2009 9:58 PM EST reply actions

If he stays healthy, this would be an awesome signing. We still need a bat in the starting lineup.

by matzushocka45 on Jan 7, 2009 9:59 PM EST reply actions

You mean a catcher or you want us to replace one of our current starters?

by BTLove on Jan 7, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

replace on our current starters.

by matzushocka45 on Jan 8, 2009 7:18 AM EST up reply actions

Who?

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Jan 8, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

Theres no FA that is a significant upgrade for us.

by BTLove on Jan 8, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

According to Boston.com ...

It may be Baldelli and Smoltz.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 7, 2009 10:09 PM EST reply actions

Yes please.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 7, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

Perfect signing

As we’ve all been saying, he is a starting caliber player on almost any team in baseball (including the Sox). He can’t start though because of his condition, so he becomes a hell of a backup outfielder who can play all three outfield positions. Now, lets hope that new diagnosis means he can play more than he did last year.

by BTLove on Jan 7, 2009 10:11 PM EST reply actions

Does mean the MFY's are geting him?

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 7, 2009 10:14 PM EST reply actions

Well ... Baldelli didn't grow up a Sox fan

From Boston.com:

Baldelli, the Cumberland, R.I. native has drawn interest from other teams including the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, but Baldelli, while not growing up a Red Sox fan would prefer sticking close to home.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 7, 2009 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

Haha

Too soon man, too soon.

by Schulz on Jan 7, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

YEAH

I’m extremely happy, I’ve always had a huge mancrush on Baldelli.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 7, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions

To the health question.

Sure. Baldelli might not be a rock-solid bet for health, but consider a couple others we were considering.

Gabe Kapler – Hurt himself rounding the bases on a HOME RUN.
Mark Kotsay – Mark’s never exactly been a paragon of health himself, with minor injuries seeming to always come into play in his career.

And those are maybe the two best options outside of Baldelli so really, the health question is, I think, not worth worrying about significantly.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Jan 8, 2009 4:07 AM EST reply actions

Any word on the money?

by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 8:39 AM EST reply actions

Or the years?

I’d offer two, if the money is reasonable.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 8, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

Baldelli is only 27

Hell, I’d throw in a 3rd year based on game appearances.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 8, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Good for him

Being from the small state of Rhode Island and graduating high school only a few years behind him, it must be pretty cool to play for the home town team that he’s rooted for…I could only dream to have that opportunity…not that many of you would understand this, but coming from a kid who graduated from Rocco’s rival high school, I hope he can get through it and kick some ass

by WickedSawx on Jan 8, 2009 12:27 PM EST reply actions