Red Sox agree with 1B-OF Kotsay

Jan 9, 2009 - 4:14 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox reportedly continued to round out their roster on Friday, agreeing to terms with first baseman-outfielder Mark Kotsay on a one-year deal.

The Boston Herald reported the deal is worth $1.5 million plus incentives. The team could not confirm the report.

The move would come a day after Boston signed outfielder Rocco Baldelli to a one-year contract.

The 33-year-old Kotsay hit .226 with 12 RBI in 22 regular-season games last season with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves in August.

In the postseason, when third baseman Mike Lowell went down with a hip injury and the Red Sox were forced to move Kevin Youkilis back to third base, Kotsay took over as the team's starting first baseman.

This season, Kotsay is expected to serve as Youkilis' primary backup at first, as well as an extra outfielder, along with Baldelli.

For his career, Kotsay is a .281 hitter with 109 homers and 609 RBI for the Oakland Athletics, Braves and Red Sox.