Red Sox sign Mark Kotsay

by Randy Booth on Jan 9, 2009 9:53 AM EST in News Comment 29 comments

Everybody wanted him back, so guess what? He's back! The Red Sox signed Mark Kotsay to presumably be a backup first baseman and 4th/5th outfielder:

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein continued his busy week by filling the backup first baseman's job with a familiar face. The club has agreed to terms with Mark Kotsay on a one-year deal.

Kotsay was acquired by the Red Sox on Aug. 27 of the 2008 season in a waiver deal with the Atlanta Braves, and wound up starting all seven games of the American League Championship Series following the right hip injury to Mike Lowell.

The Boston Herald reported the re-signing of Kotsay for $1.5 million plus incentives late on Thursday night, but the Red Sox aren't expected to announce the deal until Kotsay takes a physical next week.

It's a great deal. Kotsay proved his worth late last season and in the playoffs by playing a great first base. He's a gutsy player and I think he's been solid in the clubhouse. I will admit I've never been a fan of Kotsay, but after what he did with the Sox last season, he has turned me around. I am excited to see another year with him.

Suddenly, within two days, the Red Sox have a very strong bench:

MIF Julio Lugo
OF Rocco Baldelli
OF/1B Mark Kotsay
C George Kottaras

Just a couple days ago I wrote how bad the Red Sox bench was. Theo Epstein has completely turned that around. The Red Sox now have depth. All these signings look minor on the surface, but when you add them together it's a great equation for the Sox. It's like having a beautiful wall, but no nails to hold it in place. John Smoltz, Rocco Baldelli and Kotsay are those nails.

0 recs | Comment 29 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

With Rocco not being able to play back to back games (at least for now), Kotsay fills the back-up plan if Drew goes down or Lowell perfectly. Plus he can play a good 1B so he can spell both Youk and Lowell (with Youk playing 3B).

Considering there are probably teams he could start for, I think this is a great signing, one that I didn’t would happen because I figured that he would have found a team to start for.

So we now have starting quality bench at OF is the corner IF between Kotsay and Rocco, not bad.

by Realistic on Jan 9, 2009 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great signing

Kotsay is a good player, and likely better than Chris Carter.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 9, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

cf?

Can either of these guys play cf?

by Red Sox #1 Fan on Jan 9, 2009 11:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Baldelli and Kotsay can both play CF, though Baldelli is a better choice.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 9, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Both can

Kotsay: 997 career games in CF.
Baldelli: 389 career games in CF (in a significantly shorter career).

by Schulz on Jan 9, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kotsay is a capable but below average CF’er and Baldelli is about average. Both suitable backups.

by BTLove on Jan 10, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nicely done.

Rock me, sexy Jesus...

by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 9, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure everyone will laugh at me, but I think there is a strong chance Jacoby gets dealt before opening day. Kotsay will be the everyday CF in 2009.

by matzushocka45 on Jan 9, 2009 8:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Only for the second bit.

Trade Taco, but only if Van Every is ready to play CF in the majors. Let them fight it out in ST, and if Van Every can play similar defense and hit better, then trade Taco to Texas with one of the uber-prospect pitchers for Teagarden. They need someone to replace Bradley, and Taco could compete with Murphy for open OF spot, or allow them to trade Byrd.

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 9:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is everyone on crack tonight? Kotsay the starting center fielder? That’s suicide. Van Every becoming the starting center fielder of the future? That’s crap, too. He’s 29!

I don’t understand all this Jacoby bashing. He hit .280 last year, played great defense and stole 50 bags. His only real fault was that he didn’t get on base a lot for a leadoff hitter, but give the kid time. It was his first full year so he was probably anxious. Let the kid go. It’s absolutely ridiculous to think Kotsay or Van Every would be a better option than Ellsbury.

Ehh, sorry guys. I’m in a bad mood.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 9, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're very much right

Ellsbury is a question mark right now, but JVE starting in center is just a joke.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 9, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant until Reddick is ready.

Unless he’s going to replace JD.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Reddick isn’t close and doesn’t nearly have the potential Jacoby has. We need to just let Jacoby play and let him have the job. With Coco gone he’ll probably be a little more comfortable this year.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 9, 2009 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

He just has a lot of value right now, and could be very marketable to teams who need defense – like that team just north of the Rio Grande that happens to want a lot in return for their young catchers.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now I think I've got to disagree

Reddick can’t play CF likely, but he has every bit of potential Ellsbury has. Jacoby rocked his way into the ML level, so it’s easy to overrate him a bit. Reddick is a rock solid line drive hitter with a very strong arm, he could be on the verge of a breakout year. He’ll be a good RF one day.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 10, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So he's JD, just younger and less injury prone (hopefully)

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 10, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I've been saying...

I wear my Ellsbury jersey shirt with pride! He’s a beast, 50 SB in his rookie year and everyone is saying trade him? If we for some dumb reason traded Jacoby, we wouldn’t have a leadoff hitter (DP15 doesn’t count) and we wouldn’t have any speed. He is the best center fielder the Red Sox have.

by DirtySouthSox on Jan 10, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Jacoby doesn't raise his OBP

He isn’t much of a lead-off hitter. It’s hard to steal 1B.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 10, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

Jacoby should not lead off. He is the 7th best hitter on the team. But we should keep him. Hes shown he can play in the majors, hes a great defender and I think he has a lot of room to get better. Bill James is predicting a .359 obp, which would be nice.

by BTLove on Jan 10, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying trade him.

I’m just saying that it’s not a horrible idea if we get Teagarden. He’s worth a lot now, and the hole at catcher is bigger than a possible hole in the lead off spot or CF.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 10, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs