The Red Sox have signed 30-year old righty starting pitcher John Maine to a minor league deal. Maine pitched in 11 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Rockies last year and he was 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors with the Mets in 2010. Maine has pitched in 108 games (105 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 41-36 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Maine will be a longshot to win a spot in the Red Sox’ rotation this spring, but he has been a decent pitcher when healthy.

The Red Sox have designated 35-year old righty reliever Scott Atchison for assignment. Atchison pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox last year and he was 1-0 with 1 save, a 3.26 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He pitched in 60 games (1 start) in his two years with the Red Sox and he was 3-3 with 1 save, a 4.08 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. It will be interesting to see if Atchison clears waivers as he has pitched decent the last couple of years for the Red Sox. His roster spot was needed for Cody Ross.

UPDATE: (2/6/2012) - The Red Sox have outrighted Scott Atchison to AAA-ball. He will compete for a job in the bullpen this spring.

The Red Sox have signed 31-year old righty swinging outfielder Cody Ross to a 1-year, $3 million dollar deal. Ross played in 121 games for the San Francisco Giants last year and he was 97 for 405 (.240 avg, .730 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 14 homers, 52 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Ross has now played in 757 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 636 for 2,436 (.261 avg, .779 OPS) with 328 runs scored, 100 homers, 371 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. Ross will get most of his P.T. in RF in 2012 as he will likely split time there with Ryan Sweeney. The price was right to give Ross a chance to show what he can do in 2012.

The Red Sox have acquired 26-year old righty reliever/starter Clayton Mortensen from the Colorado Rockies for 36-year old righty swining shortstop Marco Scutaro. Mortensen pitched in 16 games (6 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He has now pitched in 24 games (3 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 4-8 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Mortensen could compete for a rotation or bullpen spot this spring depending on the Red Sox’ need this spring. Marco Scutaro played in 113 games for the Red Sox last year and he was 118 of 395 (.299 avg, .781 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 7 homers, 54 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He played in 263 games in his two years with the Red Sox and he was 292 of 1,027 (.284 avg, .744 OPS) with 151 runs scored, 18 homers, 110 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. The Red Sox will likely replace Scutaro at SS with a platoon of Mike Aviles (vs. lefty starting pitchers) and Nick Punto (vs. righty starting pitchers).

The Boston Red Sox have signed 34-year old righty reliever/starter Vicente Padilla to a 1-year deal. Padilla pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Dodgers last year and he was 0-0 with 3 saves, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has now pitched in 330 games (237 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 104-90 with 5 saves, a 4.31 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. This was a good signing for the Red Sox as Padilla will help them if healthy.