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On the Block

Sox sitting pretty with off season acquisitions

Saving the best team for last, the Red Sox were busy during the off season signing multiple free agents and resigning a couple of the team’s veterans.

While the Yanks went on their epic spending spree this winter, the Sox looked inside for answers and locked up some core players and less glamorous free agents-ones that spent much of 2008 rehabbing various injuries.

They signed free agents: future Hall of Famer John Smoltz, former ace Brad Penny, talented closer Takashi Saito and outfielder Rocco Baldelli for an aggregate guaranteed total of $12.5 million.

Smoltz, an eight-time All-Star and former National League Cy Yound Award winner, agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million pact that includes incentives that could bring the total to $10 million.

He has a career record of 210-147 with a 3.26 ERA and 3,011 strikeouts, all with the Braves. Smoltz, 41, was converted to the closer role from 2001-04, and he was a dominating stopper, posting 154 saves.

Smoltz, the only pitcher in baseball history with 200 wins and 150 saves, had pitched for the Braves since 1988. Although, he is coming off major shoulder surgery that sidelined him for most of last season, Smoltz says he feels healthy enough to pitch at least one more year.

Right-handed pitcher Brad Penny (from the Dodgers) signed a one-year $5 million deal and Rocco Baldelli (from the Rays) signed a one-year $500,000 deal.

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein was able to lock up two of his most important core players. American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia signed a six-year $40.5 million contract and Kevin Youkilis a four-year $41.5 million contract.

Veteran catcher and team captain Jason Varitek also signed for one year at $5 million and outfielder Mark Kotsay for one year #1.5 million.

American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia signed for six years at $40.5 million and Kevin Youkilis for four years at $41.5 million.