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It's not going to alter the landscape of the Red Sox roster -- or maybe even their pitching rotation -- but the team reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with RHP Aaron Cook, which includes an invite to Spring Training.
The agreement, which is pending a physical, was first reported by FOX Sports.
The issue with Cook has been his health over the last three years, as he's missed time in each of the last three seasons with numerous injuries.
Cook's 2011 was certainly nothing to write home about. In 18 games, he went 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA in 97.0 innings pitched.
His 2008 and 2009 seasons were better, though. Cook went 16-9 in 32 games in 2008, with a 3.96 ERA in 211.1 innings pitched. He also went to the All-Star game that season. In 2009, Cook went 11-6 with a 4.16 ERA in 258.0 innings pitched.
Cook's sinkerball is his best pitch, and if healthy, could be a nice asset for the Red Sox in 2012.
CSNNE:Red Sox sign Cook
The Sox continue to look into the bargain bin to help fix the rotation. For those that don't know, Cook spent his entire career (9+ seasons) in Colorado and knows how to throw his sinker as he has a career 57% groundball rate. He is also the man who threw this pitch that clinched the World Series MVP for Mike Lowell.
Cook is around for the competition for the fifth and final starting spot alongside Carlos Silva and Andrew Bailey for Bobby Valentine and Bob McClure can pick from. McClure knows what Cook can bring to the table as he was the Rockies pitching coach for Cook's first four years in the majors. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a pretty valuable addition but that is a major IF. It wouldn't be surpising if the Sox take a flyer on one more of these guys (hello Rich Harden?).
Rest of the Links: Herald:Andrew Bailey ready to roll|Salty: Red Sox ready to move on|WEEI:Sox, Cook agree to minor league deal| Valentine did "backflips" after Beckett meeting
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