2012 MLB Free Agents: Red Sox Sign Aaron Cook
By Editorial Staff
The Boston Red Sox have found their first inexpensive arm to add to the competition for their final two rotation spots. The Red Sox and free agent starting pitcher Aaron Cook have agreed to a minor league deal. If Cook reaches the majors next season, he would earn a prorated salary of $1.5 million.
Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2nd round of the 1997 MLB Draft, Cook has spent the past decade calling Coors Field home. 2011 marked the final season of the three-year $29.5 million contract Cook signed with the Rockies before the 2009 season.
To earn that deal, Cook averaged nearly 30 starts and 200 innings pitched from 2006-08 while posting an ERA near 4.00.
Unfortunately for the Rockies, the right-hander’s next three years weren’t nearly as productive. From 2009 through last season, Cook only managed to make 67 starts and compile 382 2/3 innings while maintaining an ERA closer to 5.00.
It’s for this reason that the Red Sox were able to sign the former All-Star to a minor league deal.
Cook fits the mold of the inexpensive arms Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said he was seeking to compete for the final spots in Boston’s 2012 rotation. While Cook is a nice start, Cherington probably isn’t finished as he noted that he would be looking to add multiple starting pitching options by the end of the winter.
For more on the Red Sox, be sure to check out BoSox Injection.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.