Next, it was the base-pilfering outfielder, Dave Roberts, who came to the Sox from the Dodgers in a deal separate from the Garciaparra blockbuster, but was shipped in late December to San Diego for two players the Sox envision in key roles off the bench, outfielder Jay Payton and middle infielder Ramon Vazquez.
And yesterday, it was the slick-fielding first baseman, Doug Mientkiewicz, who fair or not will probably be remembered less for what he brought to the table with the Sox than what he took away with him, the ball that he claimed as a personal souvenir after catching it for the final out in the World Series. Mientkiewicz was sent to the New York Mets, who needed a first baseman after losing out in the high-stakes bidding for Carlos Delgado. New York opted for the former Twin, who cost the Mets a slugging prospect from the lower minors, Ian Bladergroen. A lefthanded hitter who led all national junior colleges in home runs with 32 in 2003, Bladergroen would appear to have a high ceiling, assuming he recovers from major wrist surgery that cut his first pro season short last July.
Mientkiewicz is to be paid $3.75 million this year, with a club option of $4 million for 2006. If the Mets elect not to exercise that option, Sox general manager Theo Epstein said last night that the Sox will pay the $450,000 buyout.
As for the ball, Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said last night that the player and the Sox have worked out an arrangement in which Mientkiewicz will agree to loan the ball for immediate public exhibition, deferring for now the issue of the ball's ownership. A joint announcement by player and team is expected to be made today, he said.
"We have reached an arrangement with the Red Sox but we will wait for them to disclose the details," said Mientkiewicz's wife, Jodi, who said her husband was out fishing last night. "I will say I think the fans will be pleased with the outcome. It was a glorious season and we were thrilled to have been a part of it."
