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.

Seguin Cashes In, Re-Signs with Bruins Through 2018-19 Season

Amidst the lockout talks and conflict surrounding the NHL, there is some good news to be found.  The Bruins signed 20-year-old forward Tyler Seguin to a six year deal, worth $5.75 million a season.

Seguin was the Bruins points leader last season with 67 (29 G, 38 A), the youngest player in team history to finish in the lead.  He joins line mate Brad Marchand as the second Bruins player to get a contract extension this week, with Marchand's deal going for four years, $4.5 million a season.

Those two join a list of young players in the NHL who have made their mark and been handsomely rewarded.  Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog was named team captain at age 19 for the 2012-13 season.  Former first overall pick in the 2010 draft by the Edmonton Oilers, 20-year-old Taylor Hall was inked for another seven years, $42 million.

This move should have been at the top of the Bruins offseason priority list, and clearly was.  Hall is a significant piece to the Oilers, who are still in the midst of rebuilding with a young, very talented team.  Seguin is a brilliant player on a well-established powerhouse in the East.  His 67 points put him at 26th overall in the league last season, and he shows no signs of slowing down. 

2011-12 was a breakout year for Seguin, and working alongside line mates Marchand and Patrice Bergeron is an added bonus that will make Seguin one of the premier wingers in the game today.