Renteria Signing A Top-Shelf Deal
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff
December 18, 2004
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein acknowledged Edgar Renteria
was more a
luxury for the 2005 Red Sox than a necessity. But there's nothing wrong
with
getting the keys to a BMW, and that's what the four-time All-Star and
two-time
Gold Glover is in the eyes of the Red Sox.
"Edgar Renteria has proven himself to be not only one of the best
shortstops
in baseball but one of the most complete all-around players in the
game,"
Epstein said yesterday at a long-awaited press conference at Fenway Park. "His
blend of speed, power, defense, durability, and leadership makes him a
terrific
addition to the ball club."
Renteria was accompanied by family, friends, and agent Jeff
Lane.
Yesterday's press conference, scheduled for 2 p.m., didn't begin until
5:45 p.m.
as Renteria was running late getting his physical, which he passed, and
signing
his contract.
"It was a rare opportunity to bring in a player of the caliber of
Renteria as
a player and a person, someone who wanted to come play in Boston,"
Epstein said.
Renteria agreed to a four-year deal worth $40 million earlier in
the week.
Lane revealed terms of the deal: a $4 million signing bonus and
salaries of $7
million in 2005, $8 million in '06, and $9 million in '07 and '08. The
Sox hold
a club option for '09 for $11 million that includes a $3 million
buyout.
Renteria replaces another Colombian, Orlando Cabrera, whom the
Red Sox
elected not to re-sign. Epstein called Cabrera's agent to say thank you
for the
shortstop's efforts in helping the Red Sox win the World Series.
Renteria said
he hadn't talked to Cabrera since signing but shrugged off the awkward
nature of
replacing his friend as a business decision.
Renteria appeared headed back to St. Louis, but Lane, who was
working the
Cardinals while his associate, Barry Meister, dealt with the Red Sox,
said the
Cardinals had financial issues. Lane said Renteria was willing to take
$5
million to play for the Cardinals next season, but wanted hefty raises
in the
remaining years of his contract, which the Cardinals wouldn't come up
with.
"[Boston] tried to get me and gave me a good opportunity to be
here and try
to win another championship," said Renteria, who posed with his No. 16
Red Sox
jersey.
"I respect everybody and that's what I expect back.
"We knew the Red Sox were a good team," Renteria said. "We didn't
know we
were going to be swept. But they had really good players and know how
to play
the game. They know how to win and that's why they won."
"Normally, when you make a four-year commitment as a general
manager, you don
't sleep at night because you wonder, 'I hope this guy shows up to play
ball
every day.' This guy is so reliable that I slept very well," Epstein
said. "He
brings so much to a team. He shows up to play every day and we already
have a
team that's like that. He's going to show up and make it better and be
a big
part of this club."
Renteria adds stability to the most important position on the
field. The Red
Sox had a tough start to last season, losing Nomar Garciaparra for much
of the
first half, then used Pokey Reese, who also got hurt, and finally dealt
for
Cabrera. It appeared that Cabrera was too rich for Boston considering
his
limitations offensively. In the 29-year-old Renteria, the Sox feel they
have a
.300-plus hitter who can run and hit for power at Fenway Park.
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