Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Red Sox Sign 'The Most Hated Man in Baseball'


The Red Sox have finalized a one-year deal with former bleach blonde, frosted tips catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

Pierzynski, who has played for the Twins, Giants, White Sox and Rangers since 1998, is probably most known for either being the most hated man in baseball or for getting punched in the face by former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett (and subsequently getting saved by former Red Sox great Scott Podsednik.)

This deal crushes any hopes of Boston re-signing one of last year's world champions in Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is seeking a longer term deal than the previously offered two years.  With a couple of prospects in the minors for Boston, they wanted to stay away from anything long term as much as possible, and Saltalamacchia had previously said he was going to go with the deal that offered him the most security.

Pierzynski has always been able to hit right-handed pitching, and next season will just be two years removed from his last Silver Slugger award.  He has caught Mark Buehrle's no-hitter as well as Philip Humber's perfect game.  He holds the American League record for consecutive errorless chances at 962.

Spring Training is a long way off, which will give Red Sox Nation plenty of time to come around to the signing.  There is no denying the 36-year-old career .283 hitter will be a valuable asset to the Sox, but a month removed from the Red Sox World Series parade, its just hard to warm up to the idea of the different looking team so soon.

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