Sox sign Aaron Cook

[Soxfan1]

The Red Sox have agreed to terms with right-hander Aaron Cook on a minor league contract, pending a physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

 

Cook, 33 next month, has spent his entire Major League career to date with the Rockies, posting a 4.53 ERA in 1,312 1/3 innings over parts of 10 seasons. His best work came during a four-year stretch from 2006-09, when he averaged 187 innings per season and recorded a 4.11 ERA. At his peak in 2008, Cook was worth as many as 4.7 wins above replacement, according to Fangraphs.

 

The groundballer (57.4% career rate) battled injuries each of the past three seasons, however, with his 97 innings in 2011 marking his fewest since 2005. With Cook falling short of expecations the past couple seasons, the Rockies unsurprisingly declined his $11MM 2012 option in October, making him a free agent for the first time.

 

With the Red Sox, Cook will compete for a rotation spot, according to Rosenthal. If he's healthy and inducing wormburners, he could prove to be a valuable, low-cost addition for the Sox. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes included Cook among such candidates in a post last week.

 

 

The deal is worth $1.5MM if Cook is called up to the Major Leagues

[jacksonianmarch]

His arm is shot. His stuff has diminished. He is going to need to undergo a metamorphosis to be effective. But, it's a good depth signing and if he does figure it out, he could be well worth the cost

[BSN07]

Good depth move. Nothing risky about a minor league deal.

[redsoxfan3]

Good depth move. Nothing risky about a minor league deal.

 

Agreed. I don't see this as anything more than a depth move. He has been plagued with injuries. Last year he was horrendous after coming off of his injury. Just another name to add to the list of Jesse Carlson, Brandon Duckworth, Carlos Silva, and Charlie Haeger. Maybe one of these guys can be some sort of value for us other than just depth. We have signed several minor league contracts where guys are going to be potential depth guys for us in the rotation. This move doesn't hurt us, and in the long run may benefit us, but I am not expecting anything great from Cook. I am still waiting for that move where we get our 4th starter, this is definintely not it.

[VA Sox Fan]

His arm is shot. His stuff has diminished. He is going to need to undergo a metamorphosis to be effective. But' date=' it's a good depth signing and if he does figure it out, he could be well worth the cost[/quote']

 

LOL jacko!

[redsoxfan3]

LOL jacko!

 

In this case I actually agree with him. I know everyone thinks whenever we make a signing that he is negative about the signing, but he is spot on. He is a guy that has been plagued with injuries that needs a huge bounce back year. He was spot on with saying that he is going to be a depth guy. This is a low risk signing.

[VA Sox Fan]

In this case I actually agree with him. I know everyone thinks whenever we make a signing that he is negative about the signing' date=' but he is spot on. He is a guy that has been plagued with injuries that needs a huge bounce back year. He was spot on with saying that he is going to be a depth guy. This is a low risk signing.[/quote']

 

Just giving jacko a little crap, he's used to it.

[redsoxfan3]

Just giving jacko a little crap' date=' he's used to it. [/quote']

 

haha, I understand. No hard feelings.

[YAZMAN]

His arm is shot. His stuff has diminished. He is going to need to undergo a metamorphosis to be effective. But' date=' it's a good depth signing and if he does figure it out, he could be well worth the cost[/quote']

 

Get the chart out...

[a700hitter]

Millwood is better.

[a700hitter]

This acquisition is such a no-event that neither of the Boston papers is picking it up. It's getting much less play than the Punto acquisition. This is really under the radar-- very stealth.

[FredLynn]

Agreed. I don't see this as anything more than a depth move. He has been plagued with injuries. Last year he was horrendous after coming off of his injury. Just another name to add to the list of Jesse Carlson' date=' Brandon Duckworth, Carlos Silva, and Charlie Haeger. Maybe one of these guys can be some sort of value for us other than just depth. We have signed several minor league contracts where guys are going to be potential depth guys for us in the rotation. This move doesn't hurt us, and in the long run may benefit us, but I am not expecting anything great from Cook. I am still waiting for that move where we get our 4th starter, this is definintely not it.[/quote']

 

I don't see it that way at all. I see it as another signing of a useless turd who is no longer a ML pitcher. Like Silva. Like Miller. And soon, like Wakefield.

We these loser bums we ought to make a good run at fourth place this year. It sure shows where the FO has their heads, eh? Saunders? Too expensive. Maholm? Too expensive. Oswalt, Kuroda? Out of the question.

But just wait 'till next year, right?

[User Name]

I remember everyone (including me) saying the exact same things about the Yankee signings before the 2011 season. Look how a couple of those panned out. That's why you all don't get paid to make these f***ing decisions.

[FredLynn]

I remember everyone (including me) saying the exact same things about the Yankee signings before the 2011 season. Look how a couple of those panned out. That's why you all don't get paid to make these f***ing decisions.

 

I can sense your enthusiasm about these signings, and I can't say as I can blame you. After all, these are diamonds in the rough, clearly; most of them should be expected to complete the top end of our rotation. How can we possibly fail to win a ring with the likes of Silva, Cook, Miller, and soon, Wakefield out there mowing down the opposition this summer? I know that I will be just glued to the television set watching every pitch.

[seabeachfred]

Cook is worth a gamble if that is all it was.....a gamble. When I saw his 3-11 and 6+ ERA last season I thought this might be our RH version of Andrew Miller, who is a real bum. You know, though, we need a little of that damn Yankee luck this season in the pitching department if this is what we can expect from the front office. Last year the pinstrippers signed Colon and Garcia and hit the jackpot while some of our expensive prima donnas like Dice K and Lackey s*** the bed. To be honest, I don't think we've caught lightning in a bottle with Cook and the immortal Hi Ho Silva, but we can all hope. Now if the team will only get serious and get us something better than these batting practice pitchers.

[User Name]

I can sense your enthusiasm about these signings' date=' and I can't say as I can blame you. After all, these are diamonds in the rough, clearly; most of them should be expected to complete the top end of our rotation. How can we possibly fail to win a ring with the likes of Silva, Cook, Miller, and soon, Wakefield out there mowing down the opposition this summer? I know that I will be just glued to the television set watching every pitch.[/quote']

 

I don't appreciate you assigning an imaginary position for my thoughts.

 

I'm not jumping for joy over this signing, however, you can't have it both ways. People say the Sox lacked depth last year, then the Sox make moves to add pitching depth and people still bitch.

 

I know being as negative as possible is your schtick and all, but i'm not obligated to follow your lead. I think building depth is a good thing.

[FredLynn]

I don't appreciate you assigning an imaginary position for my thoughts.

 

I'm not jumping for joy over this signing, however, you can't have it both ways. People say the Sox lacked depth last year, then the Sox make moves to add pitching depth and people still bitch.

 

I know being as negative as possible is your schtick and all, but i'm not obligated to follow your lead. I think building depth is a good thing.

 

Depth. As in the Aegean stables? That kind of depth?

Reminds me of a joke I heard.

A curmudgeon met his end and went to hell. At the gates he was met by the Devil Himself, who bore a remarkable resemblance to Alex Rodriguez. The Devil offered our curmudgeon the choice of three rooms in which to spend eternity. They proceeded to examine the first room. In that room everyone was walking around on their hands on broken glass and nails. No one seemed to be enjoying themselves much. In the second room the curmudgeon observed all of the denizens in a room full of thumbtacks and razor wire, and they were all on their hands too. The Devil then showed the unfortunate curmudgeon room #3. Here, all of the souls were walking around waste deep in horse s***-but at least they were able to walk around normally, on their feet-and there was a Sox game being televised on a wide screen TV for all to see (Wakefield was pitching, and the Sox were already behind 12, 266, 745, 806 to 0). It was an easy choice: the curmudgeon chose room #3. He entered and began discussing baseball with anyone who would listen. About 10 minutes later a loud gong was heard along with an public service announcement which said:

"OK everyone, coffee break is over. Everyone back on your hands"

[VA Sox Fan]

This acquisition is such a no-event that neither of the Boston papers is picking it up. It's getting much less play than the Punto acquisition. This is really under the radar-- very stealth.

 

I don't appreciate you assigning an imaginary position for my thoughts.

 

I'm not jumping for joy over this signing, however, you can't have it both ways. People say the Sox lacked depth last year, then the Sox make moves to add pitching depth and people still bitch.

 

I know being as negative as possible is your schtick and all, but i'm not obligated to follow your lead. I think building depth is a good thing.

 

 

Sox will sign Cook to continue to create "competition" in rotation

 

Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff January 9, 2012 11:57 AM

 

First it was veteran Carlos Silva, now it's Aaron Cook.

 

Sox general manager Ben Cherington has taken the approach that he'll bring in a few veteran starters to compete for one or two spots in the starting rotation, rather than spend big on a big-name free-agent.

 

The concept is a page out of the New York Yankees book, They were successful with Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon last season.

 

Cook, who will be 33 next month, will have his physical in Boston on Wednesday which he should pass to qualify for a minor league contract. He could earn $1.55 million if he makes the major league club, the salary first reported by WEEI.com..

 

He has been a Rockie throughout his career. He was 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA last season and threw 97 innings. He's had some injuries which had held him back the past three years.

 

Last spring training. Cook shut his index finger in a screen door and broke it. He wasn't able to pitch until June and it affected the sinkerballer's command.

 

Cook was highly recommended to the Sox by new pitching coach Bob McClure, who was Cook's minor league pitching coach in the Colorado system.

[seabeachfred]

Depth. As in the Aegean stables? That kind of depth?

Reminds me of a joke I heard.

A curmudgeon met his end and went to hell. At the gates he was met by the Devil Himself, who bore a remarkable resemblance to Alex Rodriguez. The Devil offered our curmudgeon the choice of three rooms in which to spend eternity. They proceeded to examine the first room. In that room everyone was walking around on their hands on broken glass and nails. No one seemed to be enjoying themselves much. In the second room the curmudgeon observed all of the denizens in a room full of thumbtacks and razor wire, and they were all on their hands too. The Devil then showed the unfortunate curmudgeon room #3. Here, all of the souls were walking around waste deep in horse s***-but at least they were able to walk around normally, on their feet-and there was a Sox game being televised on a wide screen TV for all to see (Wakefield was pitching, and the Sox were already behind 12, 266, 745, 806 to 0). It was an easy choice: the curmudgeon chose room #3. He entered and began discussing baseball with anyone who would listen. About 10 minutes later a loud gong was heard along with an public service announcement which said:

"OK everyone, coffee break is over. Everyone back on your hands"

 

LMFAO Pumpsie. I know there is a message in there somewhere but please allow me to let my sides mend and get these tears out of my eyes. My whole body is shaking. Hell of a story. My only qu estion is Francona back managing the team again. Only he could allow a score like that without going to the bullpen.

[SoxSport]

They give all these guys minor league contracts so they don't have to pay them if they don't make the club. They are basically throwing mud at the wall, with the hope that some of it sticks.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Damn, they couldn't have grabbed Tulo in the process, huh?

 

Siiiiigh

[Soxfan1]

Cook>Silva?

[a700hitter]

Cook>Silva?

Bonser=Silva

[FredLynn]

Bonser=Silva

 

 

Bonser, Silva, Cook>Lackey

[redsoxfan3]

I don't see it that way at all. I see it as another signing of a useless turd who is no longer a ML pitcher. Like Silva. Like Miller. And soon, like Wakefield.

We these loser bums we ought to make a good run at fourth place this year. It sure shows where the FO has their heads, eh? Saunders? Too expensive. Maholm? Too expensive. Oswalt, Kuroda? Out of the question.

But just wait 'till next year, right?

 

I thought Wakefield was done a couple of years ago, so I don't know what you mean "soon, like Wakefield." I say that Silva and Miller are more useful to this team at this point. Wakefield would take up a Major League roster spot. Silva and Miller are guaranteed a roster spot. Miller might end up in the pen, but if Silva and Miller don't have a good Spring, then they will probably both end up in AAA or as free agents. I see these as signings that BC is trying to have competition in Spring. All it takes is for one of these "useless turd" to have a good Spring and they could be valuable for this team. The pitchers we have been signing have had problems recently and all it could take is for one of them to have a bounce back year. Do I think it will happen? Probably not, but it is a low-risk, so in my opinion it is worth the chance. These signings won't hurt the team. Maholm is signing with the Cubs. Saunders and Oswalt are expensive at this point, but I still believe we sign or trade for a reliable #4. I talked to some other fans and a lot of them were worried about the Melancon trade thinking he was going to be our closer. We still went out and got Bailey. A lot of fans are worried that these cheap pitcher signings are meaining that we aren't going to go spend money on a #4 pitcher. It could possibly end up that way, but I don't think it will, just like the Melancon situation. BC is doing everything he can to make this team better without spending as much money as possible. That could mean we wait last minute (like we are currently doing) to hopefully wait to see if Saunders or Oswalt will come cheaper. Either way, we don't need to wait until next year like you said. We still have pieces of the puzzle to compete for a playoff spot.

 

Bonser' date=' Silva, Cook>Lackey[/quote']

 

With you saying this, this really proves my last point. We were the best team in baseball last year at one point when we had Buccholz, Lester, and Beckett all in the rotation with Weiland, Miller, Lackey, and Wakefield all filling in roles for us at the backend of the rotation. We basically just have to improve on the production of Wakefield and Lackey. Bard is going to give us better production than both, if not I would be extremely surprised. You just said yourself Silva and Cook are better than Lackey. So one of these cheap pitcher signings makes us better than the production that Lackey gave us last year. We have a great offense. We have three proven starters, a 4th who should be decent as the #5 starter, and from your assessment, we have a 5th who will be better than Lackey. If we can stay away from injuries, then we are going to be competing for the playoffs and even the AL East. We did it last year with two crappy starters, so we can do it again this year if we aren't plagued with injuries and if we don't have another September collapse (which I don't think will ever happen again for this team). All I am saying is that we will be able to compete.

[FredLynn]

I thought Wakefield was done a couple of years ago' date=' so I don't know what you mean "soon, like Wakefield." I say that Silva and Miller are more useful to this team at this point. Wakefield would take up a Major League roster spot. Silva and Miller are guaranteed a roster spot. Miller might end up in the pen, but if Silva and Miller don't have a good Spring, then they will probably both end up in AAA or as free agents. I see these as signings that BC is trying to have competition in Spring. All it takes is for one of these "useless turd[s']" to have a good Spring and they could be valuable for this team. The pitchers we have been signing have had problems recently and all it could take is for one of them to have a bounce back year. Do I think it will happen? Probably not, but it is a low-risk, so in my opinion it is worth the chance. These signings won't hurt the team. Maholm is signing with the Cubs. Saunders and Oswalt are expensive at this point, but I still believe we sign or trade for a reliable #4. I talked to some other fans and a lot of them were worried about the Melancon trade thinking he was going to be our closer. We still went out and got Bailey. A lot of fans are worried that these cheap pitcher signings are meaining that we aren't going to go spend money on a #4 pitcher. It could possibly end up that way, but I don't think it will, just like the Melancon situation. BC is doing everything he can to make this team better without spending as much money as possible. That could mean we wait last minute (like we are currently doing) to hopefully wait to see if Saunders or Oswalt will come cheaper. Either way, we don't need to wait until next year like you said. We still have pieces of the puzzle to compete for a playoff spot.

 

 

 

With you saying this, this really proves my last point. We were the best team in baseball last year at one point when we had Buccholz, Lester, and Beckett all in the rotation with Weiland, Miller, Lackey, and Wakefield all filling in roles for us at the backend of the rotation. We basically just have to improve on the production of Wakefield and Lackey. Bard is going to give us better production than both, if not I would be extremely surprised. You just said yourself Silva and Cook are better than Lackey. So one of these cheap pitcher signings makes us better than the production that Lackey gave us last year. We have a great offense. We have three proven starters, a 4th who should be decent as the #5 starter, and from your assessment, we have a 5th who will be better than Lackey. If we can stay away from injuries, then we are going to be competing for the playoffs and even the AL East. We did it last year with two crappy starters, so we can do it again this year if we aren't plagued with injuries and if we don't have another September collapse (which I don't think will ever happen again for this team). All I am saying is that we will be able to compete.

 

Best team in baseball "at one point" is meaningless. Our team didn't even make the playoffs. We were the third best team in the AL East. And this year we will have competition for that honor from the Blue Jays. Our pitching SUCKS, and no, we are not getting a quality starter to fill in at the #4 position. There is no money for that. Instead, Cherington is flinging loser bums at the wall to see if any of them stick. Remember the year we signed Penny and Smoltz? Well, its that year again.

[User Name]

Saying that the Blue Jays are as good a team as the Red Sox is downright laughable. In fact, i am laughing at it right now.

[a700hitter]

Best team in baseball "at one point" is meaningless. Our team didn't even make the playoffs. We were the third best team in the AL East. And this year we will have competition for that honor from the Blue Jays. Our pitching SUCKS' date=' and no, we are not getting a quality starter to fill in at the #4 position. There is no money for that. Instead, Cherington is flinging loser bums at the wall to see if any of them stick. Remember the year we signed Penny and Smoltz? Well, its that year again.[/quote']Exactly. Even the Mets had a good 3 week stretch last season. Good stretches are meaningless regardless of how long they last. It a 162 game season, and the performance over that period is what separates the wheat from the chaff. It's much easier today to make the post season than in most of the history of baseball. Eight (8) teams make the post season and you don't even have to finish 1st within your own division. The Sox finished 3rd in a 5 team division in 2011. They were not a very good team.

[FredLynn]

Saying that the Blue Jays are as good a team as the Red Sox is downright laughable. In fact' date=' i am laughing at it right now.[/quote']

 

As I said before, you won't be doing as much laughing in August.

This Sox team is absolutely pathetic with the latest group of loser bum SPs. Even a cockeyed optimist such as yourself cannot really fail to see that Silva, Cook, and now Germano along with other loser bums already on the roster like Doubront, Bowden, and Carlson do not add up to a ring. Face the music; this is a REBUILDING year, Red Sox style.

[User Name]

Blah blah blah i'm negative. Blah blah blah they suck. Blah blah blah the glass is always half empty. Blah blah blah Epstein sucks.

 

New content please. It's the same thing in different words every time.