Red Sox Sign Franklin Morales to 1-Year, $850K Deal

By Justin Bopp on Jan 16 2012, 10:12p  @justinbopp +

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Pitcher Franklin Morales #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on September 9, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox have signed left handed pitcher Franklin Morales to a 1-year, $850 thousand deal according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. The deal allows both sides to avoid arbitration.

Morales, a 25 year old Venezuelan reliever, has a career ERA of 4.61 but was able to post a 3.69 ERA throughout 2011, part of which was spent with the Colorado Rockies. He spent four seasons with the Rockies but was traded to the Red Sox in May of 2011.