ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported Wednesday night that the Red Sox were close to signing free-agent outfielder (and Rhode Island native) Rocco Baldelli. Baldelli will be at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner on Thursday night, where he is to receive the Tony Conigliaro Award, given annually to a major-league player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage. The Red Sox traditionally make announcements of player signings on the day of the dinner, and Baldelli's announcement could come Thursday.