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Baldelli, Smoltz to Sox are done deals

According to The Globe's Extra Bases, John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli are the newest members of the Boston Red Sox:

Smoltz, 41, will sign a $5 million guaranteed deal with Boston that includes the possibility of earning another $5 million in bonuses. The Smoltz deal was expected to be finalized later today according to a source familiar with the negotiations, the AP reported.

The Red Sox did not announce terms of Baldelli's contract, but a baseball source told the Globe that he will receive $500,000 guaranteed, and can earn another $1.75 million in bonuses solely for remaining on the active roster -- in other words, his salary would be $2.25 million if he remains on the active roster all season.

On top of that, the 27-year-old also has significant bonuses based on plate appearances that could elevate the value of the contract to as high as $7.5 million, though that number is attainable only if he makes 600 plate appearances, which is highly unlikely.

If Baldelli and Smoltz are healthy, the Red Sox are making out like bandits. Both of these moves give the Sox a lot of great depth. Smoltz won't be ready until June, but he should give the Sox a great veteran leader in the pitching staff. Baldelli, if healthy, should be one of the most talented 4th outfielders in the bigs.

With more information about these signings, OTM will have more analysis to come.

0 recs  |  Comment 22 comments |

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Comments

Display:

Congratulations

You guys are getting one of the best in the bigs in Smoltzie. It’s very sad to see him go after all these years, but I wish you guys and him luck this season.

by Bmacbandwagon on Jan 8, 2009 2:08 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

It will be weird to see him in anything but a Braves Uni, but I am extremely happy to see him in a BoSox one.

by drabidea on Jan 8, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I like both moves

Even though I have doubts about both. I don’t expect to see Smoltz before June.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

That's ok

We already have between five and eight other starters who can carry the load until then. And think about October — Smoltz will move seamlessly from the rotation to the bullpen, which means no big innings for Timlin clones.

by RSNexile on Jan 8, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

What a bahhhh-gin!

I should probably wait to see how 2009 goes, but Theo is getting real good at making low-risk, high-reward deals. Smoltz, Baldelli and Penny are all past or potential All-Stars – if they stay healthy, we should expect great things from these moves.

The Bottom Line
http://www.bottomlinesox.com

by bottomlinesox on Jan 8, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Roster moves

Does a roster move have to be made to accomodate Smoltz and/or Baldelli? I haven’t heard.

by MickS on Jan 8, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I know

that Zink is designated for assignment to make room for Rocco. As for Smoltz, idk.

by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Love it.

Good low-risk, high-reward moves by the Sox.

"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 4:03 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

+1

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

What

are the chances of Smoltz agreeing to come out of the pen for the Sox? Or will they even try that?

by DirtySouthSox on Jan 8, 2009 4:19 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Even if Rocco has problems

Or if J.D. does and Rocco has to start in his place or whatever…the Sox could maybe then use somebody like Chris Carter, Jon Van Every, Zach Deages, or Jeff Corsaletti (in general, someone already in the system) to replace that player on the roster for that time being. Just a thought to those who are saying we still need somebody.

by DirtySouthSox on Jan 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Awesome moves.

What numbers will they wear though? Will Smoltz take Foulke’s old 29? Will Rocco take Nomah’s old 5?

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 bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 8, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

Just saw a picture of the press conference. Baldelli is #5, and I have the shivers.

by DirtySouthSox on Jan 8, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

From a Braves Fan

I know it’s been said by Bmacbandwagon up there, but you guys got a true class act. The Sox were in better position than the Braves, in terms of finances and roster construction, to take on the risk of signing Smoltz.

Here’s hoping Smoltzy gets to go toe-to-toe with CC a few times this season…you guys won’t be disappointed.

by Rafael Belliard's SLG % on Jan 8, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

From ESPN
Smoltz once played a good friend, also a very competitive guy, in pingpong. Smoltz won.

“I bet I can beat you playing left-handed,” Smoltz said.

Then he did.

“I bet I can beat you playing from my knees,” Smoltz said.

Then he did.

What I would give to see Smoltz and Pedroia, mano y mano, on the ping pong table.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 8, 2009 7:52 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’d spend money to see that…

by Randy Booth on Jan 8, 2009 8:10 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Hell, I'd pay to watch them play cribbage.

Here’s the

whole article

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 8, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Doh

Whole article.

(stupid wrong button)

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 8, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Umm... MLB Network could run out of stuff to show one day.

I can hear the clock ticking and my heart beating. I can see individual pixels of the TV picture. I can hear the caution in the opponent's voice. I can smell the fear in the sweat of the opponent's fans. I can taste... THE CHAMPIONSHIP. I AM IN CHAMPIONSHIP MODE.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Well, the knees bit would have to occur first, to level the playing field.

I can hear the clock ticking and my heart beating. I can see individual pixels of the TV picture. I can hear the caution in the opponent's voice. I can smell the fear in the sweat of the opponent's fans. I can taste... THE CHAMPIONSHIP. I AM IN CHAMPIONSHIP MODE.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

hey

does anyone know if retarded dish network is ever going to get MLBNetwork

The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble

by DirtySouthSox on Jan 10, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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