Rocco Baldelli will return to the Rays with a special assistant role, working with minor leaguers and other young players, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Baldelli is "not ready to retire," but has a shoulder issue currently. Topkin notes that Rays exec Andrew Friedman didn't make the deal with the idea that Baldelli would later play for the Rays, but said "anything's possible."
Baldelli, 28, signed a $500K deal with the Red Sox in January of '09 and hit .253/.311/.433 in 164 plate appearances. He dealt with foot, hamstring, and hip injuries, but also has a type of channelopathy, which has caused muscle fatigue.
It’s unfortunate how his playing career turned out. It’s good however to see that the Rays have found something baseball related for the young man to do.
Whew, thank goodness the Yankees stayed away from him and choose to sign Thames instead. Granted Baldelli wouldn’t have commanded much anyway but he is never on the field it seems.
I really envy you. A Yankee fan’s biggest problems are deciding between 4th outfielders. It must be nice to have a 200 million dollar payroll.
It’s 5th outfielder, dude. We picked up Randy Winn to be the 4th.
Let me guess: you’re a Pirates fan? Funny how small market teams in Minnesota, Florida, Tampa et al consistently field winning teams…
“It’s 5th outfielder, dude. We picked up Randy Winn to be the 4th.”
ROFL.
LOL. I knew some d-bag would say something like this. The utter unimportance of the difference between a 4th and 5th outfielder is the difference between Nick Green and Angel Berroa (Yeah, Dodger fan). Are you enough of a tool.
Actually having witnessed both last season in the AL East I would take Nick Green in a heartbeat, while Nick Green is below mediocre, Angel Berroa has no business cashing checks in the big leagues, he is horrible and contributes nothing to a ballclub.
Don’t even know why the Dodgers would touch him with a 10 foot pole. Even between scrubs there are varying degrees. :)
To think he was the starting third baseman on the Yankees roster in place of Arod for a period of time is enough to make me cringe.
Nick Green has some value however minimal, Angel Berroa has no value and should be out of baseball frankly.
I think you’re right, Angel Berroa is just pure terrible. I had to experience him as the Dodgers starting SS in 2008 for 2 months, and it was unbearable. I’ll take the more unknown to me Nick Green over the horrible Berroa this year.
Nick Green has some good fielding value from what I’ve seen and heard, so at least there’s that, even if he has a .650 or so OPS.
There biggest problem is having to deal with two fantastic teams in the Red Sox and Rays.
He has a CHRONIC ILLNESS and is still one of the most classy people in the MLB. Show the guy a little respect. The Yankees would be lucky to have someone with his attitude and heart in their clubhouse.
I’m not knocking the guy’s illness, I’m speaking purely about baseball production and thus I stated I am glad the Yankees didn’t sign him.
I know fully well that he has a chronic illness, I’m not belittling him because of that, I’m speaking from a strictly baseball, on the field, results oriented standpoint that any GM would look at in forming their ballclub going into the season.
He was a kid with talent but injury robbed him of his full potential, best of luck to him in his future endeavors.
Take it easy, Lady.
Yeah, you really struck “gold” with Randy Winn.
He’s 100% pure Winn, baby!
Hats off to Andrew Friedman Baldelli showed a lot of heart fighting to make his way back from a chronic illness. Baldelli was cut out to be a star but illness shortened his career. I would not be suprised to see him as a GM somewhere down the road.
Man, one tough break after another for Rocco. Hopefully, he is able to take the field again some day.
Randy Winn was an awful signing.
I hope this special assistant role doesn’t tire him out too much.