Red Sox Happy For Renteria
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
June 16, 2006
Boston gave up on Edgar Renteria after just one season, but the shortstop's Atlanta resurgence hasn't surprised Red Sox players.
"That's him," Ortiz said of Renteria, batting .325 with eight homers, 28 RBIs and a .402 on-base percentage before Friday's game against Boston. "He's a great player. That's my boy. I talk to him all the time."
Renteria, 30, has already matched his homer total last season, when he hit .276 with his fewest homers since 1998, a career-high 30 errors, a career-low nine stolen bases, and most strikeouts (100) since his rookie season.
One season into a four-year, $40 million contract, the Red Sox traded him to Atlanta for third-base prospect Andy Marte, who was later traded to Cleveland for outfielder Crisp. The Red Sox also agreed to pay $8 million of Renteria's remaining salary, plus the $3 million buyout if a 2009 club option isn't exercised.
"Coming from the National League to the American League, it takes time to make adjustments," Ortiz said.
Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, also a former longtime National League player, noted that Renteria's 100 runs and 70 RBIs last season were respectable. He agreed Renteria's game may be better appreciated in the NL.
"He's always been a good hitter," Lowell said. "The American League is so offensive-minded. It takes away from guys who are good bunters, good hit-and-run guys, because that's seen as almost giving away an out in the American League. ... It was a good move by the Braves to get him."
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