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Baldelli leaning toward Red Sox?

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Rocco Baldelli might not be out of the woods, but after further evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic he at least has hope that the mitochondrial disorder that nearly ruined his career may allow him to play more than expected. The Red Sox would no doubt love to sign Baldelli, but can he play enough to consider him a fourth outfielder? Can he get to the point where he can DH, and maybe even play two or three times a week in the field? Would that be enough for a team to sign him for a year and take the chance that he would be available to play if a starter went down? Or could he be some team's full-time DH? The feeling is he's moving closer to that. "The situation has been clarified a little bit better because of further tests," Baldelli told the Tampa Tribune. "It's positive news for my baseball career and my health." The Phillies, Reds, Red Sox, or Rays may take a chance with Baldelli. According to sources close to the Cumberland, R.I. native, he would love to play closer to New England, but at this point he can't be too picky. The Mets also need a righthanded-hitting outfielder and could get into the mix.

Boston Globe

Rocco Baldelli, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Rocco Baldelli, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
December 22, 2008  08:48 AM ET

Hope that guy gets his life and career back on track.....

December 22, 2008  08:57 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Hope that guy gets his life and career back on track.....

or at least plays left field when the that giant green wall in Boston finally collapses.

December 22, 2008  08:59 AM ET

it is a shame what is happening with him...
but why would you- business-wise - give him a contract?

December 22, 2008  09:05 AM ET

HE ONLY CAN PLAY SO OFTEN I WOULDNT GET HIM

December 22, 2008  09:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Hope that guy gets his life and career back on track.....

Amen to that, I wish EVERYONE the best. I've never heard of this guy, is he another Jim Eisenreich?

December 22, 2008  09:55 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Amen to that, I wish EVERYONE the best. I've never heard of this guy, is he another Jim Eisenreich?

BEST FEKKKKING LINE OF 2008.

December 22, 2008  10:54 AM ET

good for him. Clad to see he was improving.

December 22, 2008  11:20 AM ET

Not if they made the trade with the D'Backs for Burns

December 22, 2008  11:33 AM ET

Why don't you go rub down a monkey?

December 22, 2008  11:41 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Why don't you go rub down a monkey?

That's what I like to call "Jungle Love."

Oh, we, oh, we, oh.

December 22, 2008  12:08 PM ET

Isn't the Cleveland Clinic the hospital where the Browns keep getting staf infections? Maybe the Doctors should start washing their hands after they go to the bathroom.

December 22, 2008  12:39 PM ET

I really like him as a player and hope he can get well and play at a more full time level. Any team that gets him is better for it.

December 22, 2008  12:42 PM ET

Great move for Boston and Rocco. Baldelli was pegged to become a Joe DiMaggio, one of the top Rays prospects until this disease laid him out. He's a homeboy the Sox would love to have picked up in the draft. The Rays, building the best farm in the majors, got him and did right by him.

As occasional 4th OF, pinch hitter, pinch runner this disease wouldn't tax him, and he would give the Sox excellent value. As insurance, getting an IF/OF like Hairston or Bloomquist plus IB/OF like Bailey or even Millar would also relieve pressure, allowing Baldelli to work his way back. Added insurance is a half hour away: the Sox have plenty of OF depth in Pawtucket, like VanEvery (who is an Adam Dunn with a much better glove), Danielson or Corsaletti who could come up if one of JD, JB or Ellsbury went to the DL, keeping Rocco as the 4th OF. Signing his talent, with reasonable assurance his condition won't deteriorate and may improve, is a no brainer.

December 22, 2008  12:42 PM ET
QUOTE(#4):

HE ONLY CAN PLAY SO OFTEN I WOULDNT GET HIM

That's all JD Drew does, and the team pays him big bucks!

December 22, 2008  12:49 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

That's all JD Drew does, and the team pays him big bucks!

Nice one! Lol.

December 22, 2008  01:27 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Nice one! Lol.

Cards, Dodgers, BoSox... same story with JD

December 22, 2008  01:47 PM ET

the yanks have C.C! Sign him!

December 22, 2008  01:55 PM ET

He would be the only player on the Sox that I'd root for.

December 22, 2008  03:12 PM ET

Dude's got the HIV, man, it's word on the street.

 
December 22, 2008  03:20 PM ET

I just hope the Yankees dont get him because they gotta have everybody.

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