Sox sign Baldelli and Smoltz

Red Sox news:

• Looks like Rocco Baldelli just signed with the Red Sox. This is good because it adds depth to our outfield after the departure of Coco Crisp.
• John Smoltz also reached a preliminary agreement with the Sox today as well. Hey, it doesn't hurt to add another potential horse to the staff. This guy has been solid his entire career, pitching for the Braves, as a closer and as a starter.

I am a big fan of both of these signings. Rocco Baldelli, when he hasn't been injured, has been pretty damn solid. He's also from the New England area so it'll be a nice homecoming for him. Since he's going to be our fourth outfielder, he'll be able to fill in for Drew when he inevitably gets injured, as well as spell the rest of the outfielders when they need an off-day. Smoltz is a proven workhorse who is probably as professional of a player as you can get. Just a great, stand up guy whose numbers speak for themselves. Plus, after the Braves basically said he's washed up, he's going to be motivated to prove the naysayers wrong.

Yes, both of these players pose an injury risk, but look at it this way. We're going to sign Smoltz for a one year $5 million contract with potentially up to $5 million in performance bonuses. This is basically zero risk. Baldelli's contract numbers haven't been released yet, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be for less than what Smoltz is getting. So look what we have here: a quality fourth outfielder and a solid workhorse for probably around $10 million combined. If they both get injured and never play a game with the Sox, it doesn't really affect us that much. I dig it.

I'm kind of glad we didn't break the bank this year on free agents because everybody knows we're going after Matt Holliday next winter when he becomes a free agent. Well, unless Scott Boras screws us over again, which is likely to happen. My prediction: we go after Holliday, it turns into a bidding war, the Yankees come in at the 11th hour with a ridiculous contract, and he signs with them. You heard it here first.

My true hope is that Jason Bay flourishes here and we re-sign him. He seems like a good, hardworking guy who won't be a clubhouse cancer. We have Ellsbury under control for the next few years I think, and JD Drew is still signed for a couple more years. Once Lowell's contract expires, we're moving Youk back to 3rd and most likely calling up our prized prospect Lars Anderson to fill the void at 1st Base. Pedroia will patrol 2nd for the next 6 years or so, and Lowrie can only get better. I'm telling you right now, Ortiz is going to be a monster this year. Theo just needs to sign another latino guy to joke around with him to keep him loose.

As far as the pitching is concerned, I see Dice-K finally putting it all together and cutting down on the walks. I see Lester evolving into an absolute stud. I see Beckett regressing a little bit, but still putting up above average numbers. Now that we got Smoltzy, I see him as a complete mismatch against other teams' 4th and 5th starters. Brad Penny will have a so-so year I think. That was another great signing either way. Low risk, high return all over the place! Wakefield will continue to be an innings eater. And guess what, we still have Masterson, Bowden, and Buchholz! Relief pitching looks pretty good with the acquisition of that Ramirez guy. We still got Okajima, Delcarmen, Javy "lefty-specialist" Lopez and Papelbon. The more I think about it, the better I feel about the team. We are solid all around, except for catcher, which may or may not be the most important position on the field.

Let's talk about Jason Varitek. All signs are indicating that talks are going horribly with the Sox and Varitek's agent. Guess who his agent is? Fuckin Scott Boras. I'm sure Boras put together a nice little video showing Varitek when he actually could hit and is expecting a multi-year deal for over $10 million per year. That's ludicrous. I, like the next guy, appreciate everything Varitek has done for the team, being captain and all, but there is no justification for paying that much money for someone who is an auto-out. Offensively, he's done. He doesn't have it anymore. Defensively, he's still very solid and he can call a game probably better than any catcher in the league.

In a perfect world, I'd love for Varitek to retire and to sign with the Sox as an adviser, but that's not going to happen. If Varitek leaves, that leaves us with Josh Bard as our starting catcher. He performed pretty well during his stint with the Padres but I think we all remember how much of a disaster it was when he tried to catch Wakefield's knuckleball. I'd like to give him another chance and see what he's made of, but we also need some depth. I would not oppose trading Buchholz to Texas for one of its solid core of catch prospects: Taylor Teagarden or Jarrod Saltalamacchia. I dunno, we'll see what happens.

I'm getting really excited for the season. I'm pretty sure that Yankees fans are already printing out World Series championship merchandise since they signed all these big name players. I say hold on a minute. There's 162 games to be played and we all know who's going to win the AL East this year...

The Tampa Bay Rays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding (kinda). 37 days until pitchers and catchers report!