YankeesRedSox.com

The Red Sox officially announced the signing of Rocco Baldelli.  While no details were given, Boston.com says it is believed to be a 1-year deal for a base of $500,000.  If he makes the roster, there is a roster bonus of $1.75mm which is paid out based on the period of time he stays on the active roster and further incentives which could make his total compensation $7.5mm.  So pay for performance.

As for John Smoltz, according to Boston.com, he'll sign a $5mm base with incentives that could bring the total value to $10mm.  A larger commitment to be sure, but not outrageous considering it is a 1-year deal.

Lastly, Brad Penny is/was scheduled to have his team physical today which is all that is in the way of having his previously reported deal announced.

Here's the skinny:  The Red Sox now have a rotation of Jon Lester, Josh Becket, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny and John Smoltz (sooner or later).  In addition, they potentially have Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and perhaps Justin Masterson.

It boils down that they Red Sox have added enough starting pitching depth to allow them to trade a young arm for something nice.  Be it Buchholz, Bowden, Masterson or another arm or 2 in the minors, they don't need to worry about the 2009 rotation, at least I hope they don't.

So I see between now and July 1st the Red Sox pulling off a major deal of some kind.  I'm not sure what they will target although a catcher is probably the first thought.  Being that any catcher they can acquire will likely be a young and largely unproven catcher, I'm not sure I consider that a major deal.  The kind of deal I am expecting would involve a well known offensive player.

Why a full month prior to the trade deadline?  Like many, Theo Epstein uses the first 2 months of the season to evaluate the team and unless there is something glaring, he'll probably be thoughtful about things.  He'll use June to find a dance partner and then bang something out.

Who you ask?  I haven't the faintest idea.  But as I see the potential health issues of many of the Red Sox regulars (Drew, Lowell and Ortiz) and the potential for below replacement value offense from the catching corp and the lack of immediate help at Pawtucket as a reason to trade for help.