With the signing of outfielder Rocco Baldelli, and deals with starters Brad Penny and John Smoltz, as well as first baseman-outfielder Mark Kotsay close to being finalized, the Red Sox' offseason kicked into another gear yesterday.
Considering the Yankees already entered hyperspace with three high-profile signings at the end of last year, the Red Sox' non-splashy entry, with catching still on the docket, puts the three-way American League East battle in 2009 with the Yankees and Rays into better focus. ``I think you'll see us now as a team take chances on some players that have the potential for a significant upside gain,'' general manager Theo Epstein said last night, right after the Baldelli press conference and before the 70th annual Boston Baseball Writers Dinner. ``We're going to have a deeper pitching staff and we're going to have a dynamic bench.''
Baldelli's arrival gives the Red Sox a low-risk, high-reward type of deal Epstein referred to. After knee and elbow injuries wiped out his 2005 season, he began last year under the cloud of a mitochondrial disorder. That limited him to playing in only some of the Rays' final 46 games of the regular season and eight of 16 in the postseason.
A re-diagnosis this offseason revealed a less inhibiting disorder of channelopathy. There are no definite answers about how often and how many games in a row Baldelli can play, but he said he has been working out with positive results so far this offseason.
``At this point, I couldn't be happier with the way I feel,'' said Baldelli. ``It's an ongoing process for me, and it's something I have to embrace.''
Baldelli is a good base-runner and very good fielder. Manager Terry Francona would not say yet how Baldelli will be used. Further evaluation will occur in spring training and Francona reiterated Epstein's use of the word ``partners'' for how the ballclub and Baldelli will work through his health.
Baldelli will have a base salary of $500,000 and would make as much as $1.75 million if he stays off the disabled list. He could earn up to $5.25 million in performance bonuses.
Baldelli will wear his usual No. 5, the first time the club has assigned the number since Nomar Garciaparra was traded in 2004.
A signing of the 41-year-old Smoltz, the veteran Braves pitcher who is a likely Hall of Famer, is expected as soon as today. The deal is believed to be for one year with a $5 million base, plus $5 million more in incentives.
With Penny also on the verge of inking his $5 million base salary, the Red Sox will enter spring training with a starting rotation of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and Penny, with Smoltz fighting for a spot once he gets healthy.
Still on the to-do list is acquiring another catcher. Epstein said a deal with captain and free agent Jason Varitek has not been ruled out. ``We've still got some unfinished business,'' said Epstein. ``Jason is still out there. As I said at the beginning of the offseason, by no means have we shut the door on him and we're also in pursuit of a younger catcher in a trade.''
- msilverman@bostonherald.com
