PORT ST. LUCIE — The Red Sox beat out the Mets for former Yankees reliever Alfredo Aceves, signing the right-hander to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $200,000 that could reach $650,000 with incentives.
The Mets made “a very competitive” offer, according to Aceves’ agent, Tom O’Connell, but were unable to land the 28-year-old who was often effective while in The Bronx when healthy.
Aceves struggled with back problems and was then non-tendered by the Yankees after he broke his collarbone in a bicycle accident in Mexico that required surgery this past November. Back problems limited him to just 10 games last season after a terrific 2009, when he finished 10-1 with a 3.54 ERA.
The Mets were hoping to add him to a staff that is largely full of question marks.
Additional reporting by George A. King III