This is what I hear.....

[Baseball Guru]

I just heard, although I have yet to confirm it as it still has not shown up on the AP wire, but I hear that the Sox have just picked up Tony Clark....
More details as I find them out.....

[Baseball Guru]

Red Sox acquire Tony Clark

By Mike Petraglia
redsox.com

BOSTON -- The Red Sox acquired first baseman/designated hitter Tony Clark on a waiver claim from the Detroit Tigers Tuesday.

In his four full Major League seasons as a Tiger, Clark, 29, has averaged .283 (608-for-2146) with 28 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 31 doubles. Clark recorded 30 or more home runs in each of his first three Major League seasons (1997-99) to go along with his 319 RBIs during the same span.

Clark drove in 72 runs in 1996, his rookie season, and led all American League rookies with 27 homers in 100 games. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

In 1997, Clark led the Tigers with 32 home runs and 117 RBIs in his first full ML season. The 117 RBIs were tied for sixth in the AL, while his 105 runs scored were tied for 10th and and 93 walks were seventh in the league. With his 32 home runs in '97, Clark became just the 13th switch hitter in ML history to hit 30 homers in a season. Clark also became the fifth fastest player in ML history to hit 50 career home runs, connecting for No. 50 at Fenway Park on June 28, 1997 in his 202nd career game.

The switch-hitter recorded team-highs with a .291 batting average, 34 home runs, and 103 RBIs in 1998. He also tallied career-highs in batting average, home runs, hits (175), and doubles (37). Clark became the first Tiger to record 100-RBI seasons in his first two full ML seasons since 1938. In 1999, Clark finished with 31 home runs and 99 RBIs to record 30 or more home runs in his first three full Major League seasons. Clark also became only the fifth Tiger in history to hit 30 or more home runs in three consecutive seasons. In 2000, Clark recorded his highest single-season slugging percentage at .529 despite being limited to 60 games due to injury. Clark returned in 2001 to hit .287 with 16 home runs and 75 RBIs in 126 games.

His career .502 slugging mark makes him one of only 27 active players with a career slugging percentage of more than .500. Overall, in 28 career games played at Fenway Park, Clark has a .382 (19-for-42) average with six home runs, 24 RBIs, a .443 on-base percentage and a .645 slugging percentage.

In the last five years, Clark is hitting .421 (191-for-454) with a .789 slugging percentage when ahead in the count, which is eighth best in the Majors during that span and one point behind Manny Ramirez's .422 (fifth best in the Majors). Hitting in the fifth spot in the order over the last five seasons, Clark is batting .302 (116-for-384).

A native of Newton, Kans., Clark was originally drafted by the Tigers as the second overall pick in the 1990 June Draft.

Mike Petraglia is the site reporter for redsox.com.

[redsoxfan45]

Good pick up, in my opinion.

Clark has been pestered the last few seasons with an injured back. Before that, though, he was good for AT LEAST 30 homers a year and over 100 RBI. If he's healthy next season, he could have a great year hitting behind Manny, in the 5 hole.

Solid move by Duquette to start the offseason...lets see who he goes after next...

[Trots]

I agree that Clark is a good pick-up. His biggest downside has always been health. He has the back problem mentioned earlier and hurt a shoulder this year. Some around here questioned his desire, but I think that tends to be more a product of the losing enviroment.

Tony is going to strikeout. A lot. He is going to strand some runners on base, too. He is also going to provide some power in the middle of the lineup (I think the five spot is just about right for him). As his career averages prove, he should hit 25-30 HR, 80-100 RBI and might hit about .285.

I only scanned the redsox.com story, but I thought Tony was arbitration eligilble and I assume he still is. Even with a raise Clark could end up a steal, if he lives up to his career numbers. Like redsoxfan45 stated, he could have a great year with Nomar and Manny hitting in front of him.

Clark was active in the community here and I would think he would do the same in Boston. Clark is a great person and was my favorite Tiger, so I am biased. I am happy to see him go to my other favorite team, even though I think his arrival might signal the end of any possible return of Mo Vaughn (another of my favorite players).

[Baseball Guru]

I agree it is a good pickup for the Sox...
They key is for him to stay healthy as he hasn't played in more than 126 games in the last 2 years....
But when healthy he is a guy that will hit 30+ HR's for you...
Decent OBP% but does strikeout alot....