The Red Sox have found their shortstop, agreeing to a two-year deal with free agent Marco Scutaro (pending a physical), FanHouse has learned.Scutaro, 34, last season hit .282 for the Blue Jays, with a .379 on-base percentage, 35 doubles, 90 walks (seventh in the AL) and 100 runs scored. In eight seasons with the Mets, A's and Jays, Scutaro has a career .265 average.
He also ranked 11th in the AL in times on base (256) and 12th in runs. His 90 walks as a leadoff man were second in the majors to the Angels' Chone Figgins.
Boston had been seeking a shortstop after using Julio Lugo, Nick Green, Jed Lowrie and midseason pickup Alex Gonzalez last year.
Scutaro was third among AL shortstops in fielding percentage (10 errors in 621 total chances) and fifth in range factor (4.39 putouts plus assists per nine innings). The Fielding Bible credited him with 12 "runs saved," fifth among big-league shortstops.
The Blue Jays will receive the Red Sox' first-round pick in the 2010 draft as well as a "sandwich" pick after offering arbitration to Scutaro, a Type-A free agent.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Now that the Sox have shored up shortstop...or so they hope...they definitely need a proven utility player like Alex Cora back on their squad. Also definitely need bullpen support with Wagner/Saito departing for the (Boston) Braves. Before spending big bucks, they should definitely try out the players (like Scutero) just to make sure that they don't buy any more "Smoltz/Penny" type refuse before Spring.
Remember Theo- stats only mean so much unless you consider how players perform when facing certain foes (Manny ramirez ate the Yankees for instance and spit them out)...so look for players who want to step up tehir game and desire playing in Boston first and money 2nd. We need more Kevin Millar types who juice up their teammates, are great clubhouse guys...and who seem to thrive in the Fenway Hysteria. No Milton bradley's Please...send him to the Yankee malcontents! www.allstateslegalhelp.com
Yanks won't lose the first 9 to Boston in 2010. The yanks played terrible in April/May 2009. I expect the Yanks to lead the east wire to wire this year with a healhy relaxed confident Arod and an abundance of arms and 2 new free agents(whoever they are). I am content with the team we had which we are keeping more or less. Look for the Yanks to repeat again as world champs in 2010.....sorry sawwwwx fans.