Under the Radar

[jtsneaks]

although this went by quietly, I think this is a huge signing for the sox...

Sox bolster the bullpen with Tavarez
By Gordon Edes, Globe Staff | January 12, 2006

Righthanded reliever Julián Tavárez, who broke into professional baseball with Manny Ramírez in Burlington, N.C., in 1992, after both were signed by Cleveland, has become the latest addition to the Red Sox bullpen, one who made 151 appearances over the last two seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. Tavárez came to terms on a two-year deal yesterday with the Red Sox for $6.7 million, with a vesting option, pending a physical.

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Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | Breaking News Alerts The Sox become the eighth big league team for Tavárez, who took the loss in Game 1 of the 2004 World Series when Mark Bellhorn hit a two-run home run off the foul pole in the eighth inning of Boston's 11-9 win in Fenway Park. Tavárez, who turns 33 May 22, had fractured his left hand just over a week earlier when he punched a dugout telephone after giving up a tying home run to Carlos Beltran, then with the Astros, in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. He also was fined $10,000 by Major League Baseball for throwing a ball over Jeff Bagwell's head in the same game.

Tavárez, who also has pitched for the Indians, Giants, Rockies, Cubs, Marlins, and Pirates, has had a number of incidents in his career, including one in San Francisco for which he apologized after using a derogatory term to describe gays. A sinkerball-slider, ground ball pitcher who also features a circle changeup, Tavárez also was suspended eight games in 2004 for using pine tar to doctor the ball.

Tavárez is expected to join two other newcomers, Rudy Seánez and Guillermo Mota, as the Sox stockpile their bullpen with setup men, partly as a hedge in case Keith Foulke does not regain his former effectiveness and Mike Timlin has to be used as closer again. Manager Terry Francona said yesterday that he expects rookies Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen to begin the season in Triple A Pawtucket. The Sox turned to Tavárez after attempts to deal David Wells to the Dodgers for setup man Yhency Brazoban fell through.

The Sox also signed infielder Tony Graffanino to a one-year, $2.05 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration. Graffanino, who elected to accept arbitration after not receiving a better offer elsewhere as a free agent, is expected to play a utility role for the Sox, though he also could be traded this spring.

JT