Sox, Renteria Make Deal Official
Shortstop signs four-year deal with world champs
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
December 17, 2004
BOSTON -- A few months back, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein confessed that he needed the help of sleeping pills to get his eyes closed after daringly trading icon Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs. Earlier this week, when Epstein realized he had acquired the shortstop of the 2005 Red Sox and beyond, he easily drifted off for one of the most comforting sleeps he's had in a while.
The Red Sox formally announced the signing of premier shortstop Edgar Renteria to a four-year contract worth $40 million on Friday. There is a club option for a fifth year that would pay Renteria $11 million in 2009.
Seldom in his time as general manager has Epstein made such a lucrative investment that seemed to have such little risk.
"Normally when you make a four-year commitment to somebody as a general manager, you don't sleep that night," said Epstein, "or say, 'What did we just do? I hope this guy shows up and plays well'. But this guy is so reliable, so dependable, that I slept very well that night after we gave it to him because he brings so much to the team. As I said earlier, he does everything well, he shows up to play every day. He's a guy that makes his teammates better."
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