Baldelli and Smoltz Good Risks for Sox
- Scott Ham
- Jan 8, 2009
- 1 min read
Various reports have John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli inking deals with the Red Sox. Both players carry a bit of risk: Smoltz is coming off of shoulder surgery and probably won't be Major League ready until the end of May, while Baldelli was recently re-diagnosed after believing he suffered from a severe mitochondrian disorder that limited his playing time. Both are reasonable gambles for the Red Sox, who find themselves with a fat wallet and nowhere to spend. Most of their money was ear-marked for Teixeira, who wasn't even considered a necessity this offseason. Smoltz has been effective when healthy. He will be 42 years-young this season which makes recovering from shoulder surgery a bit more difficult. Smoltz has always proven a resilient pitcher and, with the Red Sox having money to burn, could return big dividends for the Red Sox with a good recovery. Plus, he has shown little resistence in the past about going to the bullpen which may provide the Red Sox with a good plan B. Baldelli is one of those guys you just want to root for. Baldelli showed a lot of promise as a young player with the Rays until the mitochondrian disorder was discovered. He can be a good to very good backup outfielder and, if his health truly is better, could provide a solid right handed bat.
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