Baldelli: "Right decision" to join Red Sox

UPDATE, 5:20: Rays manager Joe Maddon said he was sorry to see Baldelli go but wished him well.
”It’s a tough moment. We had to do what we think is right right now, and hopefully it will work out for both sides,’’ Maddon said. “He’ll come back and if he’s well, he’ll be a star. I would love to have had it work out with us, no doubt. I think a lot of him as a player and as a person, but it’s not to be right now. I wish him well. I enjoyed my time with him, and, who knows, it might happen again.’’

UPDATE, 4:20: On the way to his introductory press conference in Boston, Rocco Baldelli said he was excited to be going home and joining the Red Sox and also sad to be leaving the Rays and the Tampa Bay area behind.

“I’m definitely excited. I think this is a great move for my baseball career,’’ he said by phone from Boston. “Boston pursued me pretty aggressively and I appreciated that. In addition to the baseball side of it, they were equally interested in helping me out anyway they could medically. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that this was the best place for me to sign.’’

The Red Sox were one of several teams in serious pursuit, with the Pirates and Reds among the others. The Rays had some interest in bringing Baldelli back, but after signing free agent DH Pat Burrell were limited in what they could do financially, a decision further complicated by uncertainties of how much he could play.

Baldelli -- who declined to disclose any specifics of his discussions -- said he would look back fondly on his time with the Rays.

“It was definitely emotional to leave, but it was the right decision at this time,’’ he said. “It’s sad, because I love the area and the people. Everyone was very, very good to me. It was a great nine years. ... So many people did so much for me, there’s no way I could thank everybody. I wish I could. ... I guess you could say I have a smile on my face every time I think about it.''

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Free-agent OF Rocco Baldelli officially joined the Red Sox on Thursday, with the team announcing he had agreed to a one-year contract.

Baldelli had been with the Rays his entire career, but became a free agent at the end of the season as the Rays declined his 2009 option, in part because of uncertainty over his ability to play regularly due to a rare fatigue disorder, which had been considered mitochondrial. A recently revised diagnosis of a more treatable condition, a channelopathy, has Baldelli, 27, optimistic he can play more often.

Terms were not released, but according to the Boston Globe, Baldelli is guaranteed only $500,000, but can earn another $1.75-million in bonuses just by remaining on the active roster, which would mean he makes $2.25-million for the full season. His contract also has significant bonuses based on plate appearances that could push the value of the deal as high as $7.5-million, though that is unlikely since it would require him playing everyday. More likely, the Sox will use him as a reserve outfielder and occasional DH.

(Times photo -- Brian Cassella.)

More:

View a photo gallery of Rocco Baldelli through the years

Read John Romano's column about Rocco Baldelli's game-winning hit against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Comments

[9equals8.com]

The Rays just cannot afford $2.25 million for a non-starting outfielder, it's that simple. The $500k gets paid no matter what (even if he can't play a single game). If he stays on the roster, he gets $2.25 million, which is what the Rays would have had to budget for. I like Rocco a lot, but this will also free up opportunities for some other very talented Rays players (Perez, Joyce, etc.). And, why not let the Red Sox take the risk on Rocco? It's only a 1-year deal and the Rays can try to bring him back if his health pans out. Or, think about it this way. If he did find a way to get healthy, you just paid a guy $2.25 million (or more with the incentives) only to have another team pick him off for big money in free agency in 2009/10. While this is not an easy decision, the Rays made the right call on Rocco. I would rather see the team invest that money in a young farm-raised up and comer (or maybe even BJ Upton) that will see that player stay with the Rays for 3-5 years (e.g. Longoria's deal).

I wish him well against all teams other than the Rays. He'll still get a standing O when he returns to the Trop for the first time. After all, he did deliver the game-winning hit against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS ;)

[rayalan]

I know it is too much to ask in this day and time to have someone show appreciation for past actions of others. But in a perfect world when is enough money, enough money? To show appreciation for all that the Rays have done for Rocco over the past few years I would have been very pleased for him to accept a $1 salary for this year. How much has he been paid over the past couple of years and been unable to play but a handful of games.
The Rays got nothing but still paid his salary. One year at $1 would have given him and the Rays time to determine what his real future is.

I know this is idealistic but I think this kind of integrity is what our country needs much more of. How much money is enough?

[just4sc]

horrible decision by the Rays-they showed no aggression to keep him. For a half mil ??? cut me a break.

screw the Rays; they had to help him with his rehab. Hope he has a great year.

[SC-Carl]

My question would be as follows: How many bad moves have the Rays made in the new regime? One in Josh Hamilton and yes this was huge, almost to the point where this conversation about Baldelli would almost be moot had they not lost Hamilton. Other than Hamilton though, all of their moves have turned to gold. They have very little margin for error and Rocco Baldelli was too big a risk. I would have liked to see him stay because he was such a sign of hope early in his career and last year was a good if not great backup. These people know what they are doing. Moreover, this is the only team whose management gets a standing ovation. You think they do it in Baltimore? Chicago? New York?

I am not a fan of Gross but I like Joyce and Perez. Funny how things change after a few years. Had we signed Burrell three years ago, he would have been batting third or fourth and been the cornerstone of the franchise. Now, he will bat 6th and be a piece of the puzzle. GO RAYS!

[MarkFidrych]

$500,00 guaranteed is too much for Baldelli (which is what the Red Sox are giving him) when the Rays are giving Gross more?? Who's to say how much extra he would be able to receive over the course of the year?If he is ever able to play close to full time again,he would be worth it!

[Kurt]

For those of you criticizing the Rays, know that you are wrongly assuming that the Rays didn't try to sign him. They did. They just didn't offer him as much money, nor should they have because the Rays would have been crazy to pay him what the Red Sox will pay him. I don't blame Rocco for selling himself to the highest bidder, but that is what this comes down to: the Red Sox will pay him over $2 million this year if he just manages to stay on the active roster, which means he just has to avoid the DL since he can no longer be sent down to the minors. Do you really think the Rays can afford to pay a guy $2 million-plus to play part-time? The Rays didn't pay a single starting pitcher that much last year. It would have been irresponsible for the Rays to enter into a contract like this. The beauty of being a Red Sox or Yankee GM is that you can afford to be irresponsible . . . aka "gamble" a paltry $2 mil. To the Rays, however, that's real money.

[bradley]

Rays'loss......

[MarkFidrych]

A STUPID move by Friedman to sign Gross instead of Baldelli.

[MarkFidrych]

A STUPID move by Friedman to sign Gross over signing Baldelli.

[mockdraught]

Emotions mixed on this one. I wonder if Rays know something no one else does.

[Timjk54]

Though I hate to see this happen , with Burrell DH'ing , where would you put Rocco ? We have RF covered even if we platoon . The hope is for Joyce to take over that position on a daily basis .
Instead of hating on the Rays I think they should be commended for sticking with him through his rehab years . I doubt if many other clubs would have done that .. just my opinion ..

[Bubba]

I hate this move. Baldelli in a stinkin Red Sux uniform. How could the Rays let this happen. They could have easily signed him as Rocco had a much better chance of seeing playing time with the Rays than the Sux.

[Rob]

Of all teams.

[Greg]

It has been said that,"All Things Must Pass."It's been great having you to root for on the Rays with not to much to hold on to during those lean years. I even got my daughter,(teenager then), to go to the games with me despite being associated with a loser.(Devil Rays)I'm happy for ya for pursuing your dream by having friends and family being able to cheer you on under the Citco sign. This is as morbid as Hades.

Ok, now bring it on Beanie.

[9equals8.com]

I wish Rocco all the best against the Yankees and lots of K's against the Rays. Great guy, lots of talent, but when the Rays signed Burrell, the need to sign an expensive platoon guy went away (we've got Perez, Joyce, Gross and Zobrist all vying for that RF platoon job). As much as I like Rocco and as much as I believe he does have a lot of upside, this is the right call. Burrell plus our current RF group is a good answer. Besides, were the Rays going to give him more than 1 year? Who knows, maybe Rocco will be a Ray in 2010 when his 1-year deal expires.

[Mike]

Sure wish the Rays could have found a way to re sign Rocco. He was an important piece though often injured. It seems the injury plague is behind him. He'll be popular at Fenway. Thanks for the memories Rocco!

[Jason A.]

See ya Rocco! Good luck! We're gonna miss you!

[Jon]

That might be true Opinion Master, but whenever they actually ASKED Rocco about rooting for the Sox he always said he was NOT that big a fan of them and that he rooted for players, not teams. He even said he watched the Braves on TBS as much if not more than the Red Sox. It's only a one year deal so maybe there is hope.

[CC]

Completely agree! He's been through so much in his life and as much as I hate the RS, I'm happy Rocco will be living his dream playing ball, making a good living and being closer to home.

[Opinion Master]

I agree Jon about being heart broken, but I thought I read somewhere that he grew up a sox fan and always wnted to play there.

With what he has been thru, and as much as I would have loved to see him play here again, any year could potentially be his last, and why not live his dream to the fullest.

Hope he has a GREAT year, though not against the Rays.
good luck, Rocco!

[Nick]

Why didn't the rays make room for him. Better Rocco than Gross.

[Jon]

Heartbroken. I am totally heartbroken over this. If those numbers are correct even the Rays could have afforded that. I don't understand how they can make the same mistake with Rocco that they made with Hamilton. Stick with them all through the rehabs and then give up on them when they are finally back. I don't get it.