TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sox Snag Baldelli, Smoltz

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC LANCASTER

mlancaster@tampatrib.com

Published: January 9, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - As Rocco Baldelli cleaned out his locker at Tropicana Field the day after the World Series ended, he made sure to express his thanks to the Rays for treating him like a person rather than a faceless asset during his recent health woes.

In signing a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Thursday, Baldelli moved on to a team that already has shown similar compassion. His decision came after extensive legwork by Boston general manager Theo Epstein and his staff to sort through Baldelli's medical situation, and in the end both parties were satisfied.

"I think there were a lot of reasons that this was a very good fit for me," Baldelli told reporters in Boston. "Theo and the Sox, they pursued me not only as a player but also to understand me as a person and to help me out any way they could on the field and off the field."

Baldelli joins a Red Sox team in the midst of a flurry of moves, as veteran pitchers John Smoltz and Brad Penny are also expected to sign with Boston in the coming days.

Whereas those two reportedly will receive $5 million each in base salary, Baldelli is guaranteed only $500,000. But he can earn up to $1.75 million more in bonuses by remaining on the active roster all season and the total value of the deal could reach $7.5 million, according to the Boston Globe, if he tallies 600 plate appearances.

The Rays were interested in retaining Baldelli but didn't have the money available to compete with Boston's offer after signing Pat Burrell this week. That made it a business decision on their end, but they made it clear as Baldelli exited how fondly they regard him.

"Personally, I have a lot of respect and admiration for Rocco," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "It is going to be strange to see him in a different uniform but that is part of the game. At the end of the day, Rocco did what he felt like was in his best interests and we did the same. It doesn't change the affection we have for him as a person. We wish him the best of luck and hope that he continues to improve from a medical standpoint."

Smoltz, who spent his first 21 years with the Braves, reached a preliminary agreement with the Red Sox worth about $5 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because the final paperwork had not been completed. The person said Smoltz will have the chance to earn another $5 million in performance bonuses.

Penny, who was leaving Boston after completing his physical Thursday, is 94-75 in nine years for the Marlins and Dodgers. He was 5-9 with a 5.88 ERA in 15 starts last year for the Dodgers before going on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis and bursitis.

BREWERS: Career saves leader Trevor Hoffman closed his deal with Milwaukee.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the sides reached agreement on a $6 million, one-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't officially announced. Hoffman can make an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses, based on games finished.

CUBS: Chicago and outfielder Milton Bradley wrapped up their $30 million, three-year deal after he passed a physical.

NATIONALS: The final cost of Washington's ballpark is expected to be $693 million, or $62 million more than the price tag anticipated when the city agreed to use public money to provide a home for its new baseball team. The final tally was over budget because the cost of securing the property and the subsequent environment cleanup work were greater than expected.

YANKEES: Former AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa agreed to a minor-league contract. The shortstop ended last season with the Dodgers.

OBITUARY: Joe Henry, 78, the former Negro Leagues player who earned the nickname "Prince" for his skill at entertaining crowds, died Friday. A funeral service was planned for Thursday at the Lovejoy Civic Center in Brooklyn, Ill., followed by burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Information from Tribune wires was used in this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT