They're not the kind of free agents who make headlines, but the Red Sox have already been busy addressing organizational depth with some recent minor league free agents signings.
The Sox signed reliever Kevin McCarthy to a minor league deal with a major league invite, hoping to bolster their bullpen. McCarthy spent time in the big leagues with the Kansas City Royals over each of the last five seasons, appearing in 169 games -- all in relief -- and compiling a 3.80 ERA.
"He's sort of different look,'' said one major league evaluator. "He's a ground ball guy and he's had a lot of success with righthanders. The combination of keeping the ball on the ground and the ability to neutralize righthanders will be big, especially in the A.L. East. He won't wow you with his stuff, but he can help.''
One caveat with McCarthy: he's out of options, meaning he can't be an up-and-down guy for the Sox -- bouncing between Triple-A and the big leagues depending on need -- without first being exposed to waivers. But given that he was placed on waivers by Kansas City late last season and went unclaimed, perhaps that's not as much of an jssue.
Boston also signed power-hitting outfielder Michael Gettys, who was once a Top 10 prospect for the San Diego Padres.
"It's hard to gauge performance sometimes in the (Pacific Coast League where small ballparks and high altitude can drive up home run totals).'' warns the evaluator. "But he's put up big power numbers pretty consistently. He's going to strike out at a relatively high rate and he's got to work on that. Still, he's got plus righthanded power and that's always at a premium.''
The problem with a lack of consistent contact has been both his swing plane and his swing-take decision-making. But it might help that Gettys knows hitting instructor Tim Hyers, who was the area scout who watched Gettys as a high schooler in Georgia.
Defensively, Gettys is athletic enough to play either corner outfield spot and has good arm strength.
"He could be a plus defender in either left or right,'' said the evaluator.
To date, Gettys hasn't been given an invite to major league spring training, but that could still be in the offing.
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