Red Sox Sign Brad Penny and Bring Back Josh Bard

(Zell's Pinstripe Blog)

The Boston Herald reports the Red Sox have reached a contract agreement with Brad Penny, which will be finalized tomorrow. It will be a one-year deal with a base salary of $5 million. It includes incentives and bonuses based on how he performs for them. Another $3 million dollars will be added to the base salary if he pitches more than 160 innings.

Penny had a horrible 2008. He was shut down last year with tendinitis in his right shoulder in July. I don’t see this as a big signing. I see it more of a Bartolo Colon type of contract. You don’t expect much, but you might catch some lightning in a bottle from him. Brad Penny has a 4.06 Career ERA, and has never pitched in the American League. Let’s see how he survives in the AL East.

Not only did they bring in Penny, but they brought back Josh Bard for next season. He received a non-guaranteed major league contract worth $1.6 million. He will be the team's backup catcher, but at the moment they don’t even have a starter. They are still searching for a catcher.

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