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Graffanino returning to Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals have claimed Red Sox second baseman Tony Graffanino off waivers, the Associated Press reports. Graffanino told the AP that he is pleased to get the chance to compete for playing time in Kansas City, where he played before joining the Red Sox last year. The Royals do have another veteran second baseman, Mark Grudzielanek, whom they signed this offseason. But Graffanino told the AP that he would be open to playing other positions for the Royals if needed.

Graffanino said he would miss playing in Boston. "It was probably one of, if not my most favorite place I've ever played," he said. "I loved every minute of it, playing in that stadium with those fans, so I'll never forget being a Red Sock."

The Red Sox traded minor leaguers Chip Ambres and Juan Cedeno to the Royals for Graffanino in July last year. Graffanino quickly shored up the second base position, allowing Boston to cut the struggling Mark Bellhorn. Graffanino hit .309 last year -- more than 40 points above his career average -- with seven home runs. He hit .319 in 51 games as a Red Sox. His season ended on a low note, however. Graffanino made a crucial error in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series against the Chicago White Sox, when a potential inning-ending double play ball bounced through his legs. The White Sox' Tadahito Iguchi made Boston pay, slugging a three-run homer, and Chicago won, 5-4, en route to a series sweep.

Early this offseason, Graffanino agreed to a one-year, $2-million deal, avoiding arbitration. But the Red Sox had already traded for veteran second baseman Mark Loretta, leaving Graffanino without a starting job. The club placed Graffanino on waivers last week.

During his 12-year career, the 33-year-old Graffanino has played for the Atlanta Braves, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the White Sox, in addition to the Royals and the Red Sox. To make room for Graffanino, the Royals designated outfielder Ambres for assignment.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Arroyo to face Red Sox on Thursday

The Cincinnati Reds plan to start right-hander Bronson Arroyo on Thursday when the team visits Fort Myers to take on the Red Sox. The game, which begins at 1:05 p.m., will be televised on ESPN; the Red Sox will start Tim Wakefield. The Red Sox traded Arroyo to Cincinnati last week in exchange for slugging outfielder Wily Mo Pena.

Arroyo will get his first chance to say hello to his old teammates tonight, when the teams meet at the Reds' spring-training stadium in Sarasota. The Red Sox will start Matt Clement against Cincinnati's Dave Williams; the first pitch will be at 6:05.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:46 AM | Permalink

Tavarez's past troubles in spotlight after brawl

In an offseason when the Red Sox picked up players known for quiet professionalism -- such as Mark Loretta, J.T. Snow and Mike Lowell -- they had to know that they had potential trouble in Julian Tavarez. To look at his statistics, the 32-year-old relief pitcher has put together a solid 13-year career -- even if Red Sox fans before this year might best have remembered him as the Cardinal reliever who gave up the game-winning home run to Mark Bellhorn in Game 1 of the 2004 World Series.

The Boston Globe's Gordon Edes today runs down Tavarez's history of problems -- from insulting fans to punching other players and even dugout equipment.

Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Times reports today that Devil Rays players are blaming the problems yesterday on Tavarez, and not on the past brawls between the Red Sox and Devil Rays. After all, many of the players who took part in those fights have moved on to other teams. But in June 2003, Tavarez, then with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was suspended for coming out of the bullpen and throwing punches during a brawl against the Devil Rays. One of the principal players in that 2003 melee was Tampa Bay star Carl Crawford, who was fuming mad at Tavarez yesterday.

Even if the Devil Ray players are downplaying their past troubles with the Red Sox, some on a Tampa Bay fan site see yesterday's episode as evidence of a Sox franchise with out-of-control players.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:37 AM | Permalink