Red Sox Sign Matt Albers

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 14, 2010 7:31 PM EST in News

The Red Sox have signed former Batlimore Orioles right-handed reliever Matt Albers, according to Peter Gammons, appearing on NESN. While there's no word yet on contract details, it's hard to imagine that the Sox would give Albers a major league deal.

Albers, 27, has spent parts of five season in the majors. He was non-tendered by the Baltimore Orioles after 2010, one of his best seasons to date. Albers posted a 4.52 ERA over 75 innings on the back of a 4.24 FIP and 4.46 xFIP.

This isn't much of a signing, more for depth than anything else. The good news is that, unlike last year, it's not these depth and "random chance" opportunities that the Red Sox seem to be pursuing to fix the bullpen. While they've still yet to bring in any relievers, they have offers in with a number of solid bullpen arms.

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Comments

Yawn

I mean, yay?

by Sean O on Dec 14, 2010 7:32 PM EST reply actions

This better be a minor league deal because this is no help.

by dsharp on Dec 14, 2010 7:34 PM EST reply actions

Matt Albers v. MDC - the last 3 years

MDC – 186.1 IP, 164 H, 4.15 ERA with Boston and Colorado (HITTERS PARKS), 2010 salary – 905K
Albers – 191.2 IP, 201 H, 4.60 ERA with Baltimore (NEUTRAL PARK), 2010 salary – 680K

If they signed Albers to a major league contract, I’d much rather have MDC for another 225K.

by dsharp on Dec 14, 2010 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

Gammons said it was a major league contract

but non-guaranteed. So if they don’t decide to keep him through ST, they can just pay 30 days worth of the contract.

by wolf9309 on Dec 14, 2010 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

I remember a game Albers completely blew against us last year...

Didn’t take long to find… April 24th (unless they are others later he blew against us, but this was the one I was thinking of)

BAL leading 3-1 in the 7th… Albers is the first reliever in with 2 runners on…
1. K’s PH Ortiz (who was batting .156 at the time), but then…
2. 3-run HR by Scutaro
3. Double to Pedroia
4. Walk to Martinez
5. Good-bye Albers (Pedroia and V-Mart score after he leaves)

…his first blown save and took the L to go 0-3. I know, I know… everyone deserves to have off nights, but this was one they were winning and just 1.1 innings away from bringing in their closer. It was bad enough to stick with me this long.

by dsharp on Dec 14, 2010 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

Mr. Subliminal

“While they’ve still yet to bring in any relievers, they have offers in with a number of solid bullpen arms.”

aka, Bloggy, don’t fly off the handle, they’re not counting on him to fix the pen.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 14, 2010 7:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Solution

Bill Hall

by n0va on Dec 14, 2010 8:04 PM EST reply actions

I think that's what chemists call an immiscible solution.

by dsharp on Dec 14, 2010 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd for perfect use of a science pun

by Tarrsk on Dec 15, 2010 1:25 AM EST up reply actions

Love it

Dont know Matt Albers, never seen him pitch an inning, BUT he wants to play for the Sox and i am going to give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

Welcome to Boston Matt, we need ya.

by SoxAcumen on Dec 14, 2010 8:08 PM EST reply actions

I want to pitch for the sox too ;)

embrace the martian
Twitter: @BoldandBrash

by BoldandBrash on Dec 14, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

More Like

Welcome to Pawtucket most likely.

"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire

The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site

by Raj Ghetia on Dec 14, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

more like

welcome to the unemployment line

by Mick Lowe on Dec 15, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

Just trying to stay positive =)

I know nothing about Albers so…

by SoxAcumen on Dec 15, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting stat:

Of 52 AL relievers with more than 50 IP in 2010, Matt Albers ranked 5th in GB% at 57%. So there’s that. #redsox

per redsoxstats

Sounds cliche, but maybe, with a better defense around him than Julio Lugo, he may be better.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 14, 2010 9:01 PM EST reply actions

He was signed because he dominates the Yankees

2.45 ERA 0.91 WHIP. This the only reason i can think of other than depth.

by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 14, 2010 9:49 PM EST reply actions

Depth and Depth and Depth

If he can work things out in AAA, then Theo & Co. have a nice player here. From everything I’ve heard (esp. when ESPN 1410 played the Yankee games here in CT), Albers has the stuff to be really good. Just hasn’t harnessed it all yet…and I blame Baltimore’s general crappiness for that.

Side Note: Somebody explain why Theo didn’t go after Mark Prior? It was something that just screamed “Low Risk, High Reward…” just the way he likes it.

"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire

The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site

by Raj Ghetia on Dec 14, 2010 10:35 PM EST reply actions