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Penny signing official, and a few minor moves

Email|Link|Comments (7) Posted by Adam Kilgore, Globe Staff January 9, 2009 05:15 PM

The Red Sox this evening made official the signing of righthanded pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract. Penny complies with the Red Sox post-Teixeira offseason strategy of low-risk, high-reward moves.

The deal was first reported Dec. 29, but Penny had to pass a physical before it became official. The Red Sox did not announce terms of the deal, but a source told the Globe's Amalie Benjamin last week that the agreement was for $5 million with performance bonuses that could add $3 million more, starting at 160 innings pitched.

Penny, 30, endured his worst season last year with the Dodgers owing to three separate trips to the disabled list, all because of a rightshoulder injury. He went 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 19 games (17 starts) while striking out 51 and walked 42 over a career-low 94.2 innings. Penny, though, offers the potential of a pitcher who made the All-Star Game in 2006 and 2007.

The Red Sox also made a few small moves. They outrighted righthanded knuckleballer Charlie Zink to Triple A Pawtucket, and righthanded pitchers Virgil Vasquez and Dewon Day were claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox' roster is now at 39 players.

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7 comments so far...

Welcome to Bosto, Brad!! Looking forward to another fantastic summer from the Sox!

Posted by JB January 9, 09 08:43 PM

I admire the Sox sticking to their discipline and not overpaying for the sake of "making a move." Pennants are not won in April, they're won in July when trades occur. The financial flexibility that the Red Sox have allows them to fill needs vs the teams saddled by luxury tax constraints. Whether Penny, Smoltz, and Baldelli pan out, the reward is potentially greater than the risk. This is a new paradigm, one in which fiscal constraint and value judgements dictate corporate policy. I'd rather have a team that is competitive on a yearly basis than one which mortgages their future for the present.

Posted by JQ January 9, 09 10:02 PM

"Penny complies with the Red Sox post-Teixeira offseason strategy of low-risk, high-reward moves."

Why do you guys feel the need to write crap like this?
Low risk/high reward has been always been a strategy of this FO.
It is not some "post-Texiera strategy".

I really miss Gordon Edes.
Guys like you and "Mazz" are really giving the Globe a tabloid "quality" that it never had before.
Sad....

Posted by Bill January 10, 09 02:00 AM

Seems to me the Sox have already thrown in the towel for next season. They've done nothing but add a backup and the first two players to next season's injury list. I don't expect them to spend with the Yanks but Theo's gets a D- this offseason.

Posted by Jim January 10, 09 08:07 AM

Like the moves so far--how about a catcher?

Posted by Mike January 10, 09 09:05 AM

Great we get Penny, Bard, Baldelli, and Smoltz. The Yankee's get Sabathia, Tex, and Burnett. We can write this year off and expect ticket increases next year so the Sox can "compete". Hey at least we got new uniforms and Red Sox Coffins...isn't that fitting

Posted by 2009 is over January 10, 09 10:52 AM

You spoiled whining brats. When I moved here 10 years ago all I heard was how much you wanted to live to see the Sox win one W.S. before you died. In 2005 it only took 2 games before the whining and gnashing of teeth began again. This team has won 2 W.S. this decade, has a very capable F.O., sound farm system (for once) and a smart owner.

Try to not enjoy yourselves too much guys - you might actually enjoy living and I'm sure the thought of that depresses you. Too bad you people don't enjoy the sport of baseball.

Posted by CJ January 11, 09 11:07 AM