Boston signed DH-R Ellis Burks to a one-year, $750,000 contract last week. The contract reportedly includes numerous bonuses, including a $125,000 bonus if he spends 30 days on the active 25-man roster, another $125,000 for 60 days, $50,000 for reaching 300 plate appearances, $100,000 bonuses for 350 PA, 400 PA, 450 PA, and $150,000 for 500 PA. I think he easily can reach the roster time bonuses, but I'll be somewhat surprised if he earns more than one or two plate appearance bonuses.

Burks will work off the bench for Boston without the guarantee of regular playing time, likely only pinch-hitting and playing DH. However, as a right-handed hitter, he's in a position to potentially start against left-handed pitching if the Red Sox want to replace 1B-L David Ortiz or OF-L Trot Nixon in the lineup. Ortiz reportedly spent the off-season working on his fielding skills so that the Red Sox will consider giving him more time at first base. Primary first baseman and right-handed hitter Kevin Millar can play the outfield corners and third base, so Boston can sit either Ortiz or Nixon if they want Burks in the lineup against a left-handed pitcher. The 39-year-old Burks underwent a physical before the deal was completed, and the Red Sox evidently were convinced that he's sufficiently recovered from last year's season-ending surgery to correct a nerve problem in his right elbow. He should be an asset to the Boston bench while possibly closing out his career with the club that drafted him out of junior college with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 1983 draft.

RHP Byung-Hyun Kim signed a two-year, $10M contract with the Red Sox on January 20th. The deal should buy out Kim's remaining years of arbitration eligibility, taking him to free agency.

In 2004, Kim once again faces the prospect of moving from relief into a rotation slot. Kim's desire to start has been pushed aside because his organizations felt he filled a greater need as their closer in the past. However, with Keith Foulke signed to serve as the Red Sox's closer, Boston feels comfortable moving Kim into their rotation. While he's made headlines in the majors for five years, Kim only turned 25 in January. He pitched quite effectively as a starter in the few opportunities he received last year and should have success in the role with the Red Sox. Although his achievements as a closer brought him to this salary level, I have little problem with the size of this contract given what we know of Kim.

A few days before Kim signed, RHP Scott Williamson agreed to a one-year, $3.175M contract. While a dominant pitcher, Williamson possesses questionable control, which could lead to problems if combined with an unreliable defense, but I think he should pitch effectively for the Red Sox. Although I question spending this much on a reliever with Williamson's downside, I understand the organization's desire to retain a player in whom they've invested so many resources, particularly when non-tendering him might have led to the need to trade more of their limited minor league depth during the season to acquire another pitcher like Williamson.

LHP Nick Bierbrodt signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in mid-January. Bierbrodt's struggled with his control throughout his career and will need to improve in that area before he'll see time in Boston. Given the packed Red Sox's rotation, the 25-year-old's only opening onto the team would be as a reliever, and Boston possesses several superior alternatives. However, if Bierbrodt ever learns to control his pitches, he should develop into a valuable pitcher, so I support the Red Sox's decision to give him an open slot on their 40-man.

Boston signed LHP Bobby M. Jones to a minor league deal in mid-January. The 31-year-old spent last season working as a reliever for AAA Richmond, Atlanta's affiliate in the International League. Jones hasn't yet developed reliable control, so as he's not on the 40-man roster, I don't expect to see him in the majors in 2004.

The Red Sox claimed RHP Reynaldo Garcia off waivers from Texas in late January. Garcia pitched well at AAA Oklahoma in the Pacific Coast League last year but struggled with his control during the brief cups-of-coffee the Rangers gave him. Unless they encounter injury problems in their pen, I don't see a place for the 29-year-old in the majors with Boston. Nevertheless, I think Garcia still could develop into a useful reliever, so the Red Sox should keep him around as long as they have an available 40-man slot.

Boston claimed C-R Michel Hernandez off waivers from the Yankees in early January. New York signed Hernandez as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela in 1998. He advanced haphazardly through the Yankees' system, spending most of 2002 at AAA Columbus in the International League. Despite performing well in his first exposure to AAA, Hernandez split 2003 between A+ Tampa in the Florida State League and Columbus. The 25-year-old hit .280 with a .367 OBP and .372 SLG on 79 H, 14 2B, and 4 HR with a 37:35 BB:K and 0/2 SB % in 282 AB. I suspect Hernandez could provide more at the plate than the starting catchers of a few major league teams, yet the Yankees discarded him while retaining C-R John Flaherty. Perhaps he was simply over-qualified given the highly unimpressive set of back-ups for C-S Jorge Posada fielded by New York over the last few seasons. Boston is set with C-S Jason Varitek and C-R Doug Mirabelli in the majors while C-R Kelly Shoppach and C/1B-R Andy Dominque are at AAA, but the Red Sox wisely didn't allow the Yankees to successfully pass someone of Hernandez's value through waivers. Although I don't know where he's going to find playing time, Boston added a talented player to their system when grabbing Hernandez.