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Sox will sign Cook to continue to create "competition" in rotation

Print | Comments () Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff January 9, 2012 11:57 AM

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First it was veteran Carlos Silva, now it's Aaron Cook.

Sox general manager Ben Cherington has taken the approach that he'll bring in a few veteran starters to compete for one or two spots in the starting rotation, rather than spend big on a big-name free-agent.

The concept is a page out of the New York Yankees book. They were successful with Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon last season.

Cook, who will be 33 next month, will have his physical in Boston on Wednesday which he should pass to qualify for a minor league contract. He could earn $1.55 million if he makes the major league club, the salary first reported by WEEI.com.

He has been a Rockie throughout his career. He was 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA last season and threw 97 innings. He's had some injuries which had held him back the past three years.

Last spring training Cook shut his index finger in a screen door and broke it. He wasn't able to pitch until June and it affected the sinkerballer's command.

Cook was highly recommended to the Sox by new pitching coach Bob McClure, who was Cook's minor league pitching coach in the Colorado system.