Reports: Red Sox set to sign Smoltz, Baldelli

Jan 8, 2009 - 5:15 AM BOSTON (Ticker) -- While they may have whiffed on the big free-agent prizes, the Boston Red Sox are filling out their roster with a bit of savvy bargain-hunting.

According to multiple published reports on Wednesday, the Red Sox are close to signing a pair of free agents, pitcher John Smoltz and outfielder Rocco Baldelli.

Boston lost out to the New York Yankees in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes and were unable - or uninterested - to land any of the big-name pitchers available on the market.

But they added two-time All-Star Brad Penny after he was cut loose by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and now appear on the verge of adding two more low-risk, high-reward players as they continue to stockpile depth.

The 41-year-old Smoltz has spent his entire 20-year career with the Atlanta Braves but will now move to the American League for the first time. A Cy Young winner in 1996, the veteran righthander has had success both as an inning-eating starting pitcher and as a closer, earning five All-Star appearances as a starter and three more as a reliever.

His 2008 campaign was cut short due to a shoulder injury. He had season-ending surgery in June after posting a 3-2 record with a 2.57 ERA in 28 innings and has made good progress with his rehabilitation this offseason.

For his career, he has put together a 210-147 record with a 3.26 ERA in addition to 154 saves.

Baldelli, meanwhile, has had a spotty career since breaking into major leagues as a highly touted prospect in 2003. A litany of injuries have held him back - injuries that were ultimately diagnosed as a result of a rare mitochondrial disorder that causes his muscles to fatigue much faster than normal.

However, continued treatment of his condition have made it easier on the 27-year-old outfielder, who was able to provide an extra bat for the Tampa Bay Rays last season as they won the AL East and advanced to the World Series for the first time. In 28 games, he hit .263 with four homers and 13 RBI.