If you grew up in New England, you understand how hard it is for a local guy to make it as a pro in baseball since many factors (terrible weather, short season, bad competition) are against us from day one. For that simple reason, it's always extra special to see someone from here join the Red Sox. Today, Boston signed veteran lefty Chris Capuano (of Springfield, MA fame) to a one-year deal worth $2.25 million with incentives that could make it up to $5 million.
This will be Capuano's 10th year in MLB and he turns 36 in August so who knows how many years he has left in the majors. He won't be traveling to Cooperstown, NY anytime soon except as a paying customer but that doesn't mean he hasn't cobbled together a respectable career: 73-83 with 4.27 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. His best year record-wise was 2005 in Milwaukee when he went 18-12 with 3.99 ERA and career-best 176 strikeouts.
The Red Sox are the fifth team that the Springfield Cathedral and Duke product has played for: Diamondbacks, Brewers, Mets and Dodgers. I'm just going to assume that he's been a Red Sox fan his entire life. Even if he hasn't, lie to us Chris!
Last season wasn't his best, hence why he was still available with spring training already underway. In 20 starts, he was 4-7 with 4.26 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 81 strikeouts and 24 walks. He only has 29 career relief appearances (4 last season) but with Boston's rotation set, it appears like he is insurance should any of them get hurt or need a break in March before the real bullets start flying in April. Do you really think Clay Buchholz, Jake Peavy and Felix Doubront can last a whole season without a single trip to the DL? Basically, Capuano is a lefty, American version of Ryan Dempster.
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