Last Updated on December 14, 2011 10:28 pm by admin
BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox have tweaked their bullpen and bench, acquiring reliever Mark Melancon and utility infielder Nick Punto in separate deals.
After losing closer Jonathan Papelbon in free agency, the Red Sox obtained Melancon from the Houston Astros in a trade for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland on Wednesday.
Hours later, the team announced it had signed Punto to a two-year contract. He replaces Lowrie, also a switch-hitter who can play all over the infield.
Punto gets a $3 million, two-year contract. Rangy and reliable on defense, he batted .278 with one homer and 20 RBIs in 63 games with the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals last season. He had a .388 on-base percentage.