Baldelli set to find new home - in Boston
Free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli appears on the verge of finding a new home - in Boston
The Times learned Wednesday that Baldelli could sign with a team very soon, and ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Wednesday night the Red Sox were "close" to a deal. Most likely, he'd get a one-year deal with a low base salary and a hefty amount of incentives based on playing time.
The Rays have been open to a return, but with their funds extremely limited following the signing of Pat Burrell, it didn’t seem likely Baldelli, 27, would be coming back.
The deal seems likely to be announced Thursday, when Baldelli will be a guest Thursday night at the Boston baseball writers dinner to receive the Tony Conigliaro award for his comeback. Other team interested included the Phillies, Pirates, Reds, Yankees and potentially Orioles. Baldelli recently received a revised diagnosis of his extreme fatigue condition that he hopes will allow him to play more regularly.
Also …
* The sale of 1B Dan Johnson to the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japanese Central League was made official.
* Through password only pre-sales, the Rays sold out two spring games, March 7 vs. Boston and March 22 vs. the Yankees. General public sales start Friday at 9 a.m. on raysbaseball.com, then Saturday at the usual outlets.
* Matt Quatraro was named managed at Class A Bowling Green, with R.C. Lichtenstein and Hector Torres as coaches. Dunedin’s Brady Williams will manage short-season Hudson Valley, with Rafael Montalvo, Michael Johns and Manny Castillo as coaches.
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colt99, the only "wispers" of steroid use you're hearing are from the other voices in your head. Let it go. There are plenty of other ridiculous conspiracy theories to cling to.
Posted by: Amanda | January 08, 2009 at 05:48 PM
I'm upset about the move too, Gene, but before I blame anyone, I'd like to know if the Rays even made him an offer. If the Rays made a similar offer, then that's some major disloyalty on Rocco's part. However, you can't blame him for not taking a job if a job was never offered.
Posted by: Amanda | January 08, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Colt, had Rocco used steroids, he would have been back sooner! Same thing with Junior. That they chose to take the hard way back is to their credit. Having said that, I wish Rocco backed up the loyalty he said he had to the club by taking the incentive deal here. It is his choice and I wish him well. The Rays have a responsibility to field the best 25 men they can. If Rocco has a full recovery, he would have fit that description, but right now, a platoon of Joyce and Perez in RF makes more sense.
Posted by: Gene | January 08, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Colt, what a load of crap. Rocco has been hurt for years--going back to 2006. He's also never weighed more than about 200. You see a roided up frame there?
Signing Burrell is a safer move for the Rays--Baldelli, through no fault of his own--just can't be counted on due to health issues.
Posted by: Lee | January 08, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Sad to see Rocco go but Boston will offer him more than we can. Too much unknown about how much he will be able to play. Burrell has averaged over 150 games played in the past 4 years so no comparison with Rocco. Rays need someone they can depend on for the full year.
Best of luck to Rocco (but not against the Rays).
Posted by: Rocky | January 08, 2009 at 08:59 AM
First, Josh Hamilton; now Rocco. Better choice than strikeout king, Pat Burrell.
Posted by: Manny Lucoff | January 07, 2009 at 10:01 PM