OF Bobby Kielty signed

Posted on February 5, 2008
Filed Under 2008 Season | Leave a Comment

Transaction: Boston came to terms with backup outfielder Bobby Kielty on a non guaranteed contract. He will be paid $800k if he makes the team during spring training with a possible $300k in additional incentives during the season.

My analysis: I’m not entirely too sure what the thinking behind this was. Sure, Kielty went 3 for 6 in the playoffs last year but he hasn’t hit over .250 more than twice since 2003. He does have a pretty good eye at the plate but until he raises his average to something AT LEAST in the .260 range, why bother?

The thinking behind this was presumably that the Sox would have someone to back up Ellsbury if (when?) Coco gets traded. Luckily Kielty does have a decent glove in the field but trying to replace Coco’s defense with Kielty is like trying to eat a bowl of metal screws for breakfast instead of a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. (See how I went with the cereal theme there?)

Source: Boston Globe