Baldelli and Smoltz Good Risks for Sox

Columns — By Scott Ham on January 8, 2009 11:58 am

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.

Tags: Boston Red Sox, John Smoltz, Rocco Baldelli, Tampa Bay Rays