Red Sox sign veteran RHP Astacio to minor league contract
Sources: yahoo sports and espn
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=reds...ov=st&type=lgns
Scouting Report
2003 Season
Throughout the 2002 campaign, the Mets held their breath regarding Pedro Astacio's lingering shoulder troubles that included a frayed labrum. Despite the ailment, he threw more than 190 innings to guarantee a $6 million contract for 2003. Everything unraveled, however, early last year when the righthander missed most of April with biceps tendinitis and sat out the final four months of the season after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right shoulder.
Pitching
Astacio is at his best when he trusts his stuff, which leads to plus command of his 90-MPH sinking fastball and a big-breaking curveball. He also throws a good changeup with solid depth and fade and mixes his three offerings well to keep hitters off-balance. The righthander is capable of being an innings-eater when he keeps his pitches down in the strike zone, resulting in numerous groundball outs. As effective as Astacio can be, he also can falter by trying to be too fine with his pitches, especially when his command is inconsistent. He is prone to surrendering a plethora of longballs when he leaves his heater up and his breaking ball falls flat.
Defense & Hitting
Despite his injuries, Astacio remains an above-average athlete. He covers his position well with good range from the mound. Astacio has soft hands, fast reflexes and good overall quickness. He holds runners well with his quick delivery and a solid pickoff move that will be called a balk a couple times per season. Astacio was one of the best bunters among the Mets' pitchers, and registered 10 hits during the 2002 season.
2004 Outlook
Astacio is a free agent and is not expected to re-sign with the Mets. For the second time in three years, he must prove his shoulder is healthy in order to receive an extended look in spring training. With the dearth of pitching in the major leagues, he will find a taker, although a long-term deal will not be forthcoming.
_______________
My take on this is not much because I do not remember seeing him pitch before, but if he is healthy and does really good in AAA Pawtucket then hey this guy maybe a real good asset to this team. Also I feel that his veteran presance in pawtucket may even help them out.