It’s been a wild week in New England. First, Wes Welker left for Denver. Now, Boston is adding a Flacco.
No, Tom Brady hasn’t been kicked to the curb by the Patriots. Rather, minor league first baseman Mike Flacco — brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco — has been traded to the Red Sox by the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Flacco, who is two years younger than Joe, was a 31st-round pick of the O’s in 2009. He has bounced around the organization since, but the 26-year-old hasn’t played above the Double-A level.
Flacco spent most of his 2012 season with High-A Frederick of the Carolina League. He hit .218 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 103 games.
A USA Today story published back in January raised questions about whether Flacco would consider a jump to football, where his brother has since obtained Super Bowl glory. The Orioles denied that Flacco had such plans, though, and it’s clear he’s sticking with baseball for the time being.
“The Orioles have more corner players than spots in our system and the Red Sox had interest in Mike Flacco, so we thought it was a match,” Orioles general manager Dan Duquette said of the move.
Flacco isn’t exactly a highly touted prospect, especially at age 26. He will instead provide organizational depth at a position where the Red Sox need it.
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