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The Boston Red Sox Saturday, June 24, 2017 * The Boston Globe Addition of Doug Fister, Jhonny Peralta made sense for Red Sox Alex Speier The Red Sox’ search for veteran pitching depth dated back to the winter. In Doug Fister, they’ve identified an experienced arm with a chance of providing that trait who comes with virtually no risk. The Red Sox claimed the veteran righthander off release waivers from the Angels, clearing the way for him to replace Hector Velazquez as the team’s scheduled Sunday starter. While Velazquez had proven serviceable in his most recent start, neither he nor lefthander Brian Johnson (currently on the disabled list due to a shoulder impingement) offered an experienced rotation contributor with Fister’s pedigree. From 2011-14, he went 51-38 with a 3.11 ERA while averaging 28 starts per season. As recently as last year, Fister was off to a strong start with the Astros (8-6 with a 3.55 ERA while averaging more than 6 innings per outing in 17 first-half starts) before fading badly down the stretch (4-7, 6.20 ERA, less than 5 innings per start after the All-Star break). The fact that he nonetheless finished the year with 32 starts and more than 180 innings in the big leagues suggests a degree of reliability. He pitched in pennant races and the postseason in four straight years from 2011-14, giving the Sox a pitcher with a different resume than the options who were already in the organization. “It gives us a chance to give us an established, winning pitcher who’s been through postseason play,” said president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. “We’re trying to build that depth and as you get to[the July 31 trade deadline], we’re a month away. It’s a while away, but you can’t really count on adding depth after that time period, so the timing was right. And for us, this guy’s a good pitcher.” Fister doesn’t show the same stuff that he had in his peak years with Detroit or the Nationals. Still, special assignment scout Eddie Bane saw one of Fister’s recent starts in the Angels’ minor league system and, after seeing him throw his signature two-seam fastball at 89-90 mph with a cutter and curveball, came away convinced that the 6-foot-8-inch, 33-year-old could help a big league staff. “I have a lot of faith in Eddie’s judgment,” said Dombrowski. “He said, ‘Dave, he’s maybe not quite the same, but he can be an effective big league starter for us.’” There is little evident downside to the move. The Sox are on the hook for the remainder of Fister’s $1.75 million salary – meaning about $1 million for the rest of the year. That leaves the Red Sox with roughly $8 million in flexibility to add payroll while fulfilling the team’s stated goal of staying below the $195 million threshold that would trigger a luxury tax bill. An $8 million nugget, in turn, would give the Sox the freedom to explore multiple avenues for trade upgrades. Fister provides the Red Sox a short-term fill-in while Eduardo Rodriguez works his way back from the DL. Dombrowski said that the team is optimistic Rodriguez will return before the All-Star break. When Rodriguez returns, Fister can move to the bullpen — a role in which he proved effective in a limited run, having forged a 2.12 ERA in 10 relief outings for the Nationals in 2015 — while also offering the Sox an insurance option should any of their five primary starters suffer an injury. His presence, in turn, gives the Sox a potential option in an area that represented a priority to address. The Sox didn’t feel a need to add an ace. They needed fallback plans for a strong starting five. “Unlike maybe some other clubs I don’t believe that we need to add a top of the rotation type starter,” said Dombrowski. “Maybe other clubs are looking for that No. 1, No. 2 type starter. That’s not really important for us. I think it’s more important to be in a position where we add depth for us.” Dombrowski declined to say whether the team viewed third base, a more versatile infielder, or a setup man as areas of need. He noted that the team is still waiting to see whether Pablo Sandoval, Brock Holt, and Carson Smith (whose minor league rehab assignment has been delayed, as he remains shut down from throwing through at least the weekend due to shoulder soreness) can return to bolster those areas. The Sox also signed Jhonny Peralta — released by the Cardinals after hitting .204/.259/.204 in 21 games — to a minor league deal, offering the team another potential third base option who comes with no risk. That doesn’t mean that there’s any guarantee that Fister or Peralta will make an impact. But if they don’t prove capable of making contributions, the Red Sox can move on quickly. They still have the time and money to explore other options in the trade market. (Prospects — an asset in shorter-than-usual supply for the Red Sox after last winter’s deals — may be another matter.) But as calculated gambles go, this one seemed to offer the team upside without the risk that might have come from dealing away a prospect in a trade. It was, as such, a natural fit for the team’s needs — while setting the stage for more ambitious additions between now and the July 31 trade deadline. ‘You are our family, and it will be like that until the day we die’ Brad Almquist It was the culmination of 14 incredible years, three World Series titles, and countless memories. On a warm Friday evening, David Ortiz’s No. 34 was retired at Fenway Park, joining nine Red Sox legends whose numbers are untouchable. Before the red drape covering Ortiz’s number was unveiled, No. 34 appeared everywhere throughout Fenway and — what was formerly Yawkey Way — David Ortiz Drive. Oriz’s number was on signs, jerseys, game programs, and videoboards. The Red Sox team shop had sold so much Ortiz apparel that the store needed to restock after the game had started. Perhaps the memories of Ortiz’s 2016 season, one of the best of his career, were still fresh. Less than a year after retiring, his number has become cemented in Red Sox lore, quite a feat when considering the other players’ numbers, including Jackie Robinson’s, weren’t retired for an average of 26 years after their careers concluded. “He is incredibly important to the Red Sox, the city and Major League Baseball, for that matter,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “I am fortunate to have worn the same uniform as him.” Fenway Park looked filled to capacity nearly 45 minutes before game time, with the jersey retirement ceremony set to begin. No. 34 was plastered on both on-deck circles and in center field. The three World Series trophies that Ortiz was so instrumental in bringing to Boston were put on display. Highlights of Ortiz’s greatest moments played on the videoboard in center field for about 15 minutes preceding the ceremony. Former teammates Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield, who began the ceremony, walked out of the dugout and onto the red carpet. Fans erupted even louder when Pedro Martinez was announced. Ortiz strutted onto the red carpet in typical Big Papi fashion, sporting a sleek navy suit and swanky sunglasses. He slipped on his No. 34 white Red Sox jersey, and the crowd went wild. In his speech that lasted about 10 minutes, Ortiz showed the confidence, wit, light-heartedness, and sincerity that endeared him to so many. On the visiting dugout side, Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols teared up as he watched his teenage friend take the microphone. On Friday night, Pujols reflected on Ortiz’s best traits. Pujols said he used to call Ortiz during a slump, and the advice Ortiz gave to his Dominican friend was simple: Look at the back of your jersey. Ortiz wanted Pujols to remind himself he was still the same dominant player he always was. “That is something I always kept with me,” Pujols said. “He has helped me out in my career and given me a lot of good advice. I’m honored to be here tonight to celebrate with him.” Pujols said it’s special to be part of the star-studded group that has continued the Dominican tradition of excellence in the majors. Ortiz has always proudly represented the Dominican Republic, seen in his “Just a kid from Santo Domingo” shirt or appearances in international competitions. “We idol him like there is no tomorrow,” said friend Carlos Baez, who also was born in the Dominican Republic. “The guy could run for president in the Dominican Republic tomorrow and win, hands down.” Maybe in America, too. On Friday night, a woman held a sign that read “Papi for President.” The Red Sox went on to win Friday, 9-4, but this night was about Ortiz. Martinez and Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, two of Ortiz’s longstanding teammates, spoke about Ortiz before the game. “You are not our teammate, you are our family, and it will be like that until the day we die,” Pedroia said. Ortiz then walked up to the microphone teary-eyed. “It was very touching, very emotional,” Ortiz said.