MLB - Sports Rumors

Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:05 am EST

Red Sox doing due diligence on Baldelli

By Joe Zedalis

Rocco Baldelli

Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox are doing due diligence on free agent Rocco Baldelli, who could be in the mix as a fourth outfielder after the team dealt Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals last week for reliever Ramon Ramírez. According to major league sources, Baldelli, from Cumberland, R.I., met with the Red Sox at Fenway late last week to discuss his future and the effects of the mitochondrial disorder that limited him to 80 at-bats with the Rays last season.

Baldelli, who has toured the country visiting doctors trying to learn the cause of his premature muscle fatigue, hit .263 for Tampa Bay but never played back-to-back games in the field during the regular season. He appeared in 22 games as DH, five in right field, and one in left field. In the postseason, Baldelli batted .200 over eight games.

Baldelli said during the World Series that he didn't want to talk about his future because he was trying to soak in the moment with the Rays, the team he'd struggled with for so long, playing in just 155 games the past three years because of various ailments. Tampa Bay elected not to pick up the $6 million option on his contract for 2009 and bought him out for $4 million. But when pressed about his future then, Baldelli said, "I do know this: I want to play next year. I feel I can play."

Source: Boston.comNew Window

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123 Comments

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  1. t8kman
    1. Posted by t8kman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    Medical Alert: He is a bum
  2. C.K.
    2. Posted by C.K. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    being a rays fan, i just wonder what could have been. this guy was a 5 tool player that was compared to Mantle.
  3. davfied
    3. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    CK,
    No way. He couldn't carry The Micks jock. He is a good guy & player. Too bad about his condition.
  4. ricko
    4. Posted by ricko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    the gossip writers are running this into the ground,why would the red sox gamble when they dont have to
  5. Mclovin
    5. Posted by Mclovin Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    Epstein is a genius and wouldn't be looking at him if there wasn't something they could use him for. Even if he's just a bench player I think his playing time would be huge and would be able to give the full time players a needed rest. Plus he could ride the pine if his muscles are hurting, and the Sox still have a great outfield. Would love to see the Sox go after a more realable outfielder though with J.D. have medical issues himself. I do belive if the Sox get Texi from the Halos, and a starter like Burnett or Lowe., the Sox will take home the trophy again next year.
  6. UnKle Rukus
    6. Posted by UnKle Rukus Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Red Sux can get this guy for all I care. THey better realize that just like in the beginning of the 20th century, the Sux are done winning for another 90 years......
    Manny is this era's version of the Babe. Mark that down LOL!!!!!!!!
    The Curse of MANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  7. Mclovin
    7. Posted by Mclovin Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    The curse of Manny is having him dragging his butt down a first base line instead of digging it out, causing turmoil in the dugout and not backing up his teammates. As far a curses go though the Yankees destroyed themselves by destroying the House the Ruth built. Lets just say that last year could be a repeat performance by the Skankees this year.
  8. Qbass187
    8. Posted by Qbass187 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:25 pm EDT

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    dEEZ nuts don't forget; the Yankees never won a world series before Yankee Stadium and they won't win another now that it's gone. Not to mention the "Curse of the A-Rod".
  9. UnKle Rukus
    9. Posted by UnKle Rukus Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Srry Mclovin Men. it really will be the Curs of Manny. He was the only reason why Ortiz was good. manny is one of the greatest hitters of all time, although he might have the weakest brain of all time too.
    The SUx will never have a player as good as him. They can sign Texiera and Burnett for all I care. They are done. You'll see. Youkilis had an aberration of a season, he'll never do that again. JD drew is do to miss about 100 games, Jason Bay will be crap once AL pitchers get onto his tendencies. Ortiz is done, Ellsbury isn't as good. Pedrioa can only do so much. Beckett is injury prone, Papelbon is a closer so he is irrelevent unless the game is close. Also no Varitek cuz he thinks he;s actually good so no leadership. Sux cursed themselves again with no manny!
    Pedrioa, Lester Youkilis? You think that's gonna win the division next year? its an odd year so A-Rod will be MVP. Nady is better than Bay, Jorge and matsui are back too.
  10. UnKle Rukus
    10. Posted by UnKle Rukus Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    The Yankess have proven time and again that they win championships. No WANG last year really hurt, plus remeber A-Rod was out for a Month and still had the 3rd best season in the AL. Jetes may be aging, but he was hurt too.
    These may be excuses but if the SUX were missing Lester, if Youkilis was out for a Month, and if Pedrioa was hampered by a broken wrist for the whole season, how good you think the Red Sux would have been? Also if Varitek was out for the year and say JD drew last year was out for the year?
    Compare that too the Yanks not having Matsui, Posada, A-rod out for a month, Jete hurt the whole year, and Wang out for the year.... So there you go. Excuses, but any team missing their best players or having them as a shell of themselves wont be as good regardless of how hard the others play. You can be without 1 or 2 of your best playes but 6-7 is detrimental you dumb Boston fan
    CURSE OF MANNY!!!!!
  11. Old Timer
    11. Posted by Old Timer Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    Sox should stay away, he's another Nancy Drew
  12. KevinS
    12. Posted by KevinS Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:22 pm EDT

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    I will buy his player shirt when comes to Boston
  13. Crux
    13. Posted by Crux Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    No "ifs" or excuses dEEZ nuts. You didn't win the previous seven years either. The Sox are a different organization than you grew up with. Get used to it.
  14. Purplepeopleeater
    14. Posted by Purplepeopleeater Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    if an outfielder goes down for a significant amount time he's not going to be able to play every day....a fifth outfielder will be necessary. centerfield is less of an option also. He was a good player compared to Dimaggio when he came up but this guy has been ravaged by injuries and seriously strange ailments... then again maybe he has recovered...he's still young.
  15. davfied
    15. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Crux,
    So testy this AM. Good for you.
  16. snapperdraws
    16. Posted by snapperdraws Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    deez nuts send me some of what ur smoking.
  17. FELIX CAMPITI
    17. Posted by FELIX CAMPITI Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    Actually A S S Hole Michaek Kay onece described him as a young Joe D.!!! He must have meant Drajoole!! Michael Kay, I hate him!! I think is The Red Sox don't plan on using him but every 3 days or so it could be a decent pick up. But, with all the talent out there, why would anyone knowingly pick up a sort of handi-capped player when so many everyday players can be had? What the h e ll is that disorder he had anyway? Maybe I'll call my Son in Law ,the Doctor in Boston this afternoon and ask him, or I can wait until Wednesday when they come for the holiday. I hope some trades and free agent action starts to pop soon!!
  18. Yankees 27th World Series
    18. Posted by Yankees 27th World Series Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    deeznut,
    I really appreciate the comic relief you provide the board. Your sophomoric humor coupled with your pubescent monicker is always a good way to start my morning after I check my email and I am enjoying my first cup of coffee along with a little chuckle from your wishful insights.
    Little fella, That's really alot of "IF's"
    Here's a few for you:
    IF the Yankees were any good then they would have made the playoffs.
    Or, IF flies had machine guns then bullfrogs wouldn't eat them.
    Or, IF your Yankees hat wasn't on your head so tight then you might think a little a clearer
  19. A Yahoo! User
    19. Posted by A Yahoo! User Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:16 am EST

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    As I Buster Olney, will say that Rocco is best suited for the bench role. If he played everyday he'll die. Why the hell did the Sox want another outfielder when they traded one because the bench is overloaded.
  20. Brian
    20. Posted by Brian Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    "No WANG"
    No balls either.
  21. Yankees 27th World Series
    21. Posted by Yankees 27th World Series Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    Felix,
    I think he is too injury prone. I do not know why the Sox would want him unless he has learned how to keep the disorder in remission. Drew is great when he is healthy - but, if any outfielder goes down then ROcco won't be able to fill in long term. Also, I would imagine road trips must be brutal on him.
  22. The Real Deal
    22. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    I wish Rocco well, but the Red Sox need a spare outfielder who can fill in if one of their regulars is injured, meaning he might have to play for a few weeks at a time. I am not sure his condition would allow him to do that.
    Deeznuts--The Red Sox had as many injuries to key players as the Yankees did last season. If you followed baseball you would know that.
  23. davfied33
    23. Posted by davfied33 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Felix and davfied - No one gets it do they?
  24. davfied
    24. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Dave D,
    Morning,
    He is the 4th outfielder and hope he doesn't play for long. You're right. I wonder how he does it. My hat is off to him no matter whom he plays for. Dems want another $700B and Mr. Far Left isn't even in office. This will be a very long & expensive 4 years.
  25. FELIX CAMPITI
    25. Posted by FELIX CAMPITI Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    My man Dave D, whats up people, I know he's had injuries, but what is this disease or disorder all about? DAV, I kind of think you might a some large $$$$$$$ in the Stock Market!!! What kind of worries me is that a World wide recession/depression could turn into a World War!! Sgt Barry Sadler said 30+ years ago "we're on the eve of destruction"!!! What's your take Major Dave?

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