The Red Sox have re-signed 35-year old lefty reliever Hideki Okajima to a 1-year deal. Okajima pitched in 56 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox last season and he was 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. He was essentially throwing batting practice last season as he gave up 59 hits in only 46 innings. Okajima has now pitched in 254 games (0 starts) in his first four years with the Red Sox and he is 16-8 with 6 saves, a 3.06 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. At least the Red Sox didn’t commit to Okajima for more than one year. He will need to prove himself all over again after a horrid 2010 season.

The Red Sox likely have closer Jonathan Papelbon and outfielder Mike Cameron on the trading block right now. If the Red Sox are going to be able to deal either of these guys they are likely going to have to throw in a ton of cash to make it happen. The only glaring needs on the Red Sox are behind the plate and the need for a top lefty reliever. I’m not so sure they can fill both of those holes by dealing Papelbon and Cameron unless they go in the same deal. The Red Sox would be wise to keep these two guys unless they get what they are worth.

The Red Sox have signed 33-year old righty reliever Dan Wheeler to a 1-year, $3 million dollar deal which includes a $250,000 bonus if he pitches in at least 75 games next year. Wheeler also has an option for the 2012 season that will vest if he pitches in at least 65 games for the Red Sox in 2011 and it is worth $3 million bucks. Wheeler pitched in 64 games (0 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 2-4 with 3 saves, a 3.35 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has now pitched in 530 games (9 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 23-41 with 43 saves, a 3.84 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. I really like this signing for the Red Sox as they have just made their bullpen deeper and more talented by adding Wheeler.

The Red Sox have signed 24-year old righty reliever Clevelan Santeliz to a minor league deal. Santeliz pitched in 38 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last season for the White Sox and he was 1-4 with 2 saves, a 4.67 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 174 games (29 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 12-26 with 12 saves, a 4.46 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Santeliz was the White Sox’ #9 prospect heading into last season so he has a nice upside if the Red Sox can get him to start throwing more strikes. Santeliz has walked 208 batters in his first 336 2/3 innings in the minors.

The Boston Red Sox have signed 35-year old lefty reliever Randy Williams. Williams pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the White Sox last season and he was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 2.32 WHIP. Williams gave up 37 hits and he walked 21 batters in only 25 innings last season as he was truly awful for the Pale Hose. Williams has now pitched in 90 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 3-3 with a 5.74 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. He will get a shot to make the Red Sox’ bullpen next spring and Red Sox’ fans better hope he doesn’t win a spot.