Red Sox sign Joe Nelson

by ritz on Feb 1, 2010 9:07 PM EST

FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Red Sox have signed Joe Nelson to a minor league deal.

MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez spoke with Nelson, who said that three or four teams were interested, but that Boston was the best fit.

Nelson pitched for Tampa Bay in 2009, posting a 4.02 ERA in 40 1/3 innings. The 35-year-old righty will have to earn a shot at the big club out of spring training, and his walk rate will have to improve over 2009 (27 in those 40 1/3 innings) to stick with Boston.

The battle for the pen' begins.

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Begins?

Haven’t we signed like 40 of these guys? I think Theo had to rent out an entire hotel for spring training dedicated entirely to bullpen arms.

"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 Feb 1, 2010 10:31 PM EST reply actions

LOL - can't have too many batting-practice arms for ST!

by mmmmm on Feb 2, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't call him a BP arm

He had a fantastic year outside of a flukey May where his ERA ballooned to 8.53.

April – 3.00
June – .84
July – 2.25

Worth a chance.

by ritz on Feb 2, 2010 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

very true

by mmmmm on Feb 3, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Im pretty high on Nelson

You never know with relievers, but I would not be shocked to see him force his way into the pen.

by alskor on Feb 3, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Yep

Likely one spot up for grabs barring a trade and the following names vying for it

Bonser
Nelson
Ramirez (the other Ramon)
Castro
Richardson
Atchison
Manuel

by BobZupcic on Feb 1, 2010 10:40 PM EST reply actions

You forgot Shouse

And possibly also Jorge Sosa and others like Fernando Cabrera

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Feb 1, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

I'm still pulling for Shouse

Based solely on that fan page.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

I have a five-tool player in my pants.

by Bloggy on Feb 2, 2010 8:14 AM EST up reply actions

Hes got a good splitter.

by JaySo on Feb 2, 2010 8:29 PM EST reply actions

"Vulcan"

a pitch where he literally has his index and middle fingers completely split by the ball.

by FloridaownsFSU on Feb 2, 2010 10:30 PM EST up reply actions

Theo

Theo just gets better and better with experience. He is doing a good job. Defense is the way to go until we can get A.Gonzalez in the middle of the season.

by Drew P on Feb 17, 2010 4:55 PM EST reply actions