BOSTON (AP) - Mark Kotsay and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract Thursday worth a guaranteed $1.5 million.
The 33-year-old Kotsay batted .276 last season, including .226 with 12 RBIs in 22 games for the Red Sox after he was acquired from Atlanta on Aug. 27. Kotsay played in 10 of Boston's 11 postseason games, batting .250 and scoring the tying run in the Game 5 comeback against Tampa Bay during the AL championship series.An outfielder most of his career, Kotsay filled in at first base for Boston when Mike Lowell was injured and Kevin Youkilis went to third. Kotsay could earn up to $1 million in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 plate appearances.
To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-hander David Aardsma for assignment. Boston also shipped minor league outfielder Mickey Hall to Cleveland to complete the trade that sent pitcher Paul Byrd to Boston in August.
Hall batted .232 with 13 homers and 35 RBIs in 82 games last season for Boston's Double-A Portland affiliate. The 24-year-old was a second-round pick in 2003 by the Red Sox and has a .239 career batting average in the minors.
