Red Sox sign Marco Scutaro to free agent deal

Posted on December 5, 2009

Oakland Athletics base runner Marco Scutaro slides into third base during a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CA on September 24, 2006. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

Ever since the Boston Red Sox got rid of Nomar Garciaparra in 2004 they have been searching for the right shortstop to anchor their infield. I think they finally found a good one this week when they inked veteran infielder Marco Scutaro to a two year deal that guarantees him $12.5 million over two seasons and over $14 million over three.

I had the chance to photograph Scutaro here in the Bay Area for many years as he served as a valuable utility infielder for the Oakland A’s from 2004 through 2007. He was always in the middle of the action when he had the chance to play, and he was fun to photograph.

The A’s had good teams when Scutaro wore the green and gold and he was always a fan-favorite at the Coliseum where he was  a clutch hitter who seemed to always get the big hit late in the game to drive in the winning run. Scutaro was one of those guys who deserved to get a chance to start somewhere as he has done everything possible as a utility guy. Unfortunately for the A’s and their fans general manager Billy Beane did not agree as he traded the popular infielder to the Toronto Blue Jays in November of 2007 for two no-name minor leaguers in a big time salary dump that ended up being the best thing that ever happened to Scutaro.

Once Scutaro had the chance to play every day for the Blue Jays in 2008 he proved what he could do on a daily basis. In 2009 he put it all together with a career year  by hitting .282 with 12 homers and 60 RBIs. All of his hard work and patience has finally paid off this week with his new deal that will see him starting at shortstop for the Bosox in 2010.

If I was a Red Sox fan I would be very happy today knowing that Scutaro was going to be the final piece of the puzzle to anchor the middle of the infield, along with 2008 American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia at second base. Scutaro is one of those guys who you really can’t appreciate unless you see him play every day. I just know he will be a fan-favorite at Fenway Park.

It is funny how things work in baseball. Scutaro was pigeon-holed into a utility role when he was in Oakland. He was always stuck behind the often-injured double play combination of Mark Ellis and Bobby Crosby. However, if you look at how things shape up now I am sure the A’s would love to have Scutaro anchoring their infield in 2010. I just looked at the current A’s infield roster. YIKES! As things currently stand the candidates to join the reliable Ellis in the infield on opening day in April of 2010 do not knock your socks off.

Scutaro’s finest moment with the A’s came during Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins on October 6, 2006 at the Oakland Coliseum. When he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning the sellout crowd began a thunderous chorus of “Marco! Scutaro! Marco! Scutaro!” He the lined a three-run double into the right field corner to give the A’s an 8-2 lead and put the game and the series on ice. With the crowd still roaring and chanting, Scutaro waved from second base, then pointed skyward. Those who were in attendance as fans, or photographers like me will never forget this moment. Some say it was the loudest they had ever heard the fans roar at the Coliseum. Just wait till he hears the fans roar at Fenway.