Red Sox sign pitcher Carlos Silva & other minor leaguers

The Red Sox have reportedly signed pitcher Carlos Silva to a contract.  Silva, who was last in the majors with the Chicago Cubs was released by the team in March of last year before being picked up by the New York Yankees.  After a brief stint in the minors with the Yankees organization he was again released after shoulder problems.

This is another one of those low risk investments that Ben Cherington hopes can turn into a great reward with Silva.  The Red Sox press release notes show they believe in Silva.  “No active hurler with at least 750.0 innings pitched has fewer walks per nine innings than Silva (1.73)” and are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with the veteran of nine years.

Over his career, Silva has a 70-70 record with an ERA of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.397.  During the 2010 season, his last in the majors, he went 10-6 with a 4.22 ERA and a WHIP of 1.274.  He had a career high strikeout ratio of 6.4 per 9 innings.

Much like the Jesse Carlson signing, Silva will likely be given a chance to make the big squad in spring training.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained in Cherington’s mind.

Aside from Silva, the Red Sox announced they have signed a handful of other minor league free agents, including Brandon Duckworth, Charlie Haeger, Pedro Ciriaco and Nate Spears.

Spears is a recognizable name who has spent the last two seasons with the Red Sox minor league system, periodically getting the call to join the big club.

Ciraco comes from the Pirates organization after he was non-tendered in December.  He’s been at the AAA level for two year’s now and last year he had a line of .231/.243/.300 in 289 plate appearances.

Haeger, 28, is a knuckleballer who split 2011 between Seattle’s AAA team and Boston’s AA club.  While Duckworth, a 35-year old pitcher, spent last season with the Red Sox AAA team in Pawtucket.

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