New gun in town: All-Star closer Andrew Bailey is leaving the Oakland A's for the Boston Red Sox. AP PHOTOHe'll experience that a lot more next season.New manager Bobby Valentine found his new man for the back end of the Boston bullpen on Wednesday when the Red Sox obtained the All-Star closer and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara.In the deal, first reported by ESPN, Bailey gives the Red Sox a reliable ninth-inning guy to replace the departed Jonathan Papelbon, who signed a $50 million, four-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in November.The 27-year-old Bailey has three saves in four appearances at Fenway Park in his three major-league seasons."The one that sticks out the most was my first save opportunity this year was against the Red Sox," Bailey said in a conference call. "I actually blew that save. From what I remember, there's nothing like the atmosphere of running into the game from the bullpen at Fenway Park."A New Jersey native and offseason resident of Connecticut, Bailey is excited about coming back east.He already knows Valentine, who lives in Stamford, Connecticut, and hosted several events for the pediatric cancer foundation of Bailey and former teammate Craig Breslow."Bobby and I are good friends," Bailey said. "It just kind of helps knowing someone going in."Bailey — the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year, who made the All-Star team that season and again in 2010 — had been the subject of trade talk this offseason.The right-hander went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 saves in 41? innings and 42 appearances this year. He spent time on the disabled list for the second straight season, pitching for the first time in 2011 on May 29 after being sidelined with a strained right forearm."I'm feeling good," he said. "This is my first healthy offseason I've had since I've been in the big leagues."In his career, he is 7-10 with a 2.07 ERA and 75 saves in 84 opportunities.Bailey becomes the fourth key pitcher traded this month for the rebuilding A's, who dealt starter Trevor Cahill and reliever Breslow to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 9 and then sent left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez to Washington last Thursday."That organization is heading down a different road where they're trying to get younger and build for a future in San Jose," Bailey said.Oakland general manager Billy Beane is retooling his roster for the future in hopes of the franchise getting the go ahead to build a new ballpark some 65 km south in San Jose despite the San Francisco Giants owning the territorial rights to technology-rich Santa Clara County.Beane and owner Lew Wolff have said they expect to hear soon from commissioner Bud Selig, and Beane said the unsettled stadium situation would affect him being able to sign his own free agents this winter.The A's (74-88) haven't posted a winning record or earned a playoff berth since being swept in the 2006 AL Championship Series by Detroit.The Red Sox missed the playoffs the past two years, but won the World Series in 2004 and 2007."I think every kid playing T-ball out there strives to pitch in the postseason and meaningful games in September and, ultimately, the World Series," Bailey said. "So I'm going to welcome that with open arms."NEW YORK — Former Boston Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima has agreed to terms with the rival New York Yankees, an article on the Yankees' website said Wednesday.The 36-year-old left-hander will sign a minor league contract which includes an invitation to spring training, according to the report.Okajima spent the majority of the 2011 season pitching in the minors, making just seven big league appearances and going 1-0 with an ERA of 4.32.Following 12 seasons in Japan, Okajima signed with Boston as an international free agent in late 2006. As a rookie, he posted a 2.22 ERA over 66 appearances and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.In five seasons as a major league reliever, all with Boston, Okajima is 17-8 with six saves in 261 games and a 3.11 ERA.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Athletics trade All-Star closer Bailey, Sweeney to Red Sox
BOSTON — For Andrew Bailey, coming in from the bullpen at Fenway Park is a special feeling.New gun in town: All-Star closer Andrew Bailey is leaving the Oakland A's for the Boston Red Sox. AP PHOTOHe'll experience that a lot more next season.New manager Bobby Valentine found his new man for the back end of the Boston bullpen on Wednesday when the Red Sox obtained the All-Star closer and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara.In the deal, first reported by ESPN, Bailey gives the Red Sox a reliable ninth-inning guy to replace the departed Jonathan Papelbon, who signed a $50 million, four-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in November.The 27-year-old Bailey has three saves in four appearances at Fenway Park in his three major-league seasons."The one that sticks out the most was my first save opportunity this year was against the Red Sox," Bailey said in a conference call. "I actually blew that save. From what I remember, there's nothing like the atmosphere of running into the game from the bullpen at Fenway Park."A New Jersey native and offseason resident of Connecticut, Bailey is excited about coming back east.He already knows Valentine, who lives in Stamford, Connecticut, and hosted several events for the pediatric cancer foundation of Bailey and former teammate Craig Breslow."Bobby and I are good friends," Bailey said. "It just kind of helps knowing someone going in."Bailey — the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year, who made the All-Star team that season and again in 2010 — had been the subject of trade talk this offseason.The right-hander went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 saves in 41? innings and 42 appearances this year. He spent time on the disabled list for the second straight season, pitching for the first time in 2011 on May 29 after being sidelined with a strained right forearm."I'm feeling good," he said. "This is my first healthy offseason I've had since I've been in the big leagues."In his career, he is 7-10 with a 2.07 ERA and 75 saves in 84 opportunities.Bailey becomes the fourth key pitcher traded this month for the rebuilding A's, who dealt starter Trevor Cahill and reliever Breslow to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 9 and then sent left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez to Washington last Thursday."That organization is heading down a different road where they're trying to get younger and build for a future in San Jose," Bailey said.Oakland general manager Billy Beane is retooling his roster for the future in hopes of the franchise getting the go ahead to build a new ballpark some 65 km south in San Jose despite the San Francisco Giants owning the territorial rights to technology-rich Santa Clara County.Beane and owner Lew Wolff have said they expect to hear soon from commissioner Bud Selig, and Beane said the unsettled stadium situation would affect him being able to sign his own free agents this winter.The A's (74-88) haven't posted a winning record or earned a playoff berth since being swept in the 2006 AL Championship Series by Detroit.The Red Sox missed the playoffs the past two years, but won the World Series in 2004 and 2007."I think every kid playing T-ball out there strives to pitch in the postseason and meaningful games in September and, ultimately, the World Series," Bailey said. "So I'm going to welcome that with open arms."NEW YORK — Former Boston Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima has agreed to terms with the rival New York Yankees, an article on the Yankees' website said Wednesday.The 36-year-old left-hander will sign a minor league contract which includes an invitation to spring training, according to the report.Okajima spent the majority of the 2011 season pitching in the minors, making just seven big league appearances and going 1-0 with an ERA of 4.32.Following 12 seasons in Japan, Okajima signed with Boston as an international free agent in late 2006. As a rookie, he posted a 2.22 ERA over 66 appearances and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.In five seasons as a major league reliever, all with Boston, Okajima is 17-8 with six saves in 261 games and a 3.11 ERA.
New gun in town: All-Star closer Andrew Bailey is leaving the Oakland A's for the Boston Red Sox. AP PHOTOHe'll experience that a lot more next season.New manager Bobby Valentine found his new man for the back end of the Boston bullpen on Wednesday when the Red Sox obtained the All-Star closer and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara.In the deal, first reported by ESPN, Bailey gives the Red Sox a reliable ninth-inning guy to replace the departed Jonathan Papelbon, who signed a $50 million, four-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies in November.The 27-year-old Bailey has three saves in four appearances at Fenway Park in his three major-league seasons."The one that sticks out the most was my first save opportunity this year was against the Red Sox," Bailey said in a conference call. "I actually blew that save. From what I remember, there's nothing like the atmosphere of running into the game from the bullpen at Fenway Park."A New Jersey native and offseason resident of Connecticut, Bailey is excited about coming back east.He already knows Valentine, who lives in Stamford, Connecticut, and hosted several events for the pediatric cancer foundation of Bailey and former teammate Craig Breslow."Bobby and I are good friends," Bailey said. "It just kind of helps knowing someone going in."Bailey — the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year, who made the All-Star team that season and again in 2010 — had been the subject of trade talk this offseason.The right-hander went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 saves in 41? innings and 42 appearances this year. He spent time on the disabled list for the second straight season, pitching for the first time in 2011 on May 29 after being sidelined with a strained right forearm."I'm feeling good," he said. "This is my first healthy offseason I've had since I've been in the big leagues."In his career, he is 7-10 with a 2.07 ERA and 75 saves in 84 opportunities.Bailey becomes the fourth key pitcher traded this month for the rebuilding A's, who dealt starter Trevor Cahill and reliever Breslow to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 9 and then sent left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez to Washington last Thursday."That organization is heading down a different road where they're trying to get younger and build for a future in San Jose," Bailey said.Oakland general manager Billy Beane is retooling his roster for the future in hopes of the franchise getting the go ahead to build a new ballpark some 65 km south in San Jose despite the San Francisco Giants owning the territorial rights to technology-rich Santa Clara County.Beane and owner Lew Wolff have said they expect to hear soon from commissioner Bud Selig, and Beane said the unsettled stadium situation would affect him being able to sign his own free agents this winter.The A's (74-88) haven't posted a winning record or earned a playoff berth since being swept in the 2006 AL Championship Series by Detroit.The Red Sox missed the playoffs the past two years, but won the World Series in 2004 and 2007."I think every kid playing T-ball out there strives to pitch in the postseason and meaningful games in September and, ultimately, the World Series," Bailey said. "So I'm going to welcome that with open arms."NEW YORK — Former Boston Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima has agreed to terms with the rival New York Yankees, an article on the Yankees' website said Wednesday.The 36-year-old left-hander will sign a minor league contract which includes an invitation to spring training, according to the report.Okajima spent the majority of the 2011 season pitching in the minors, making just seven big league appearances and going 1-0 with an ERA of 4.32.Following 12 seasons in Japan, Okajima signed with Boston as an international free agent in late 2006. As a rookie, he posted a 2.22 ERA over 66 appearances and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.In five seasons as a major league reliever, all with Boston, Okajima is 17-8 with six saves in 261 games and a 3.11 ERA.
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