Fourth Outfielder Candidates: Rocco Baldelli

Note: This is part one of a three part series on the Red Sox fourth outfielder role for 2009. Click here for more information and links to the other candidates for the position from Fire Brand’s writers and community.

Let’s begin with Rocco Baldelli, the former Tampa Bay Ray golden boy who mysterious medical situation has turned up more false hope and dead ends than the search for Natalie Holloway. Currently, the Reds, Pirates, Rays, and Red Sox are interested in signing the 27 year old outfielder. There have been recent reports indicating his condition has been upgraded and is “more treatable” than thought before. There is a good chance his fatigue could have been a reaction to medication given based on a misdiagnosis.

Ever wonder why Rocco wears #5?
Photo by Wally G

I would have fears about signing a player who hasn’t really played an entire season since 2004, but then I look at someone like Josh Hamliton and realize that if you have enough natural talent and passion for the game, anything is possible. Rocco obviously cares about playing baseball, or he would have retired years ago. He’ll never live up the potential of the “next Joe Dimaggio,” as many scouts and members of Tampa Bay’s ownership dubbed him as a 21 year old; however, Baldelli could be solid if not spectacular in the right situation.

With the Red Sox, he would be able to rest regularly and monitor his health as the season wears on. This team is used to setting up individual regiments for its players, Jonathan Papelbon is the latest example of a player with health problems who was “corrected” by the team’s excellent medical staff. He still has a good eye and patience at the plate, talents that can’t be taught (yes, I am looking at you Wily Mo). Below is a chart showing the production from our fourth outfielders of the past two seasons compared to the Bill James projections for Rocco Baldelli in 2009; I think we could do much worse in this area if those numbers hold true.

Baldelli is a free agent because Tampa Bay chose not to exercise the $6 million dollar option they had available as part of the six year, $32 million dollar contract he signed in 2005. Last year, spending time with the Rays A+ and AA affiliates before joining the major league club, Rocco earned $2.2 million. 2009 will be his chance to prove he can stay healthy and contribute to a winning ball club; it is not unrealistic to assume he would accept a one year deal worth $2-4 million. By comparison, Crisp was compensated $5 million for the same role last season; Hinske was paid $5.5 million in 2007.

Baldelli is available on the free agent market and would not cost a draft pick or a small fortune to sign him. His projected numbers, and presumed continued health, would be an upgrade and insurance for the outfielders in 2009. The only negative I see to signing Baldelli, as is with all free agents coming from a small market to Boston, is how he would react if the media would turn on him. His story should be one of courage, comebacks, and class; let’s hope if he would come to play with the local nine, and would stumble on his path to recovery, we will show patience and compassion instead of ignorance and hatred.