In an offseason characterized by overpaying mediocre, aging players, the Red Sox have finally pulled off the blockbuster deal that Boston fans have been longing for all winter. General Manager Ben Cherington announced today that veteran A's shortstop Clarence "Ace" Parker has agreed to a 2-year, $14.5 million deal, which some team officials are already calling a "bargain." Although Parker, 100, has not played in the majors since 1938, Cherington believes "he brings a significant veteran presence to the clubhouse," and "he has demonstrated a remarkable athletic talent." Parker, after a 2-year career as a utility infielder for the A's, left baseball to pursue a career in the NFL. He found his niche there, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers as a quarterback/running back/defensive back/kicker/punter/kick returner/punt returner before being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.
However, Cherington feels that Parker is "ready to make the transition back to baseball," emphasizing that he is "a significant upgrade in shortstops," referring to the recent signing of Stephen Drew, 29, coincidentally also a former A's shortstop. "We're exploring trading options for Drew," a team source said under the condition of anonymity. "Parker represents a significant upgrade in many areas, especially when it comes to injuries. He has outlived all of his other teammates, so if that doesn't say he can stay healthy, I don't know what does."
Cherington also deflected criticism over Parker's salary, explaining that although his $7.25 million annual salary is nearly five thousand times that of his 1938 salary of $1,500, "It's long overdue that he be adequately paid for his past successes, and we at the Red Sox are always happy to be the ones to do that."
The team source also indicated that Cherington was attempting to coax former Red Sox second baseman Bobby Doerr out of retirement. Doerr, 94, is the only living former opponent of Parker, and is expected to compete with Dustin Pedroia in spring training for the starting role.
