BOSTON — Outfielder Brian Anderson became a free agent
when the Boston Red Sox decided against offering him a contract for next season.
Anderson hit .243 with four homers and 18 RBIs last
season for the Chicago White Sox and the Red Sox, who obtained him on July 28
for outfielder Mark Kotsay. Anderson hit .294 with two homers and five RBIs in
17 at-bats for the Red Sox and would have been eligible for salary arbitration.
Boston also agreed Saturday to a $650,000. one-year
contract with right-hander Boof Bonser, acquired from Minnesota this week.
Taken by San Francisco with the 21st pick of the 2000
amateur draft, Bonser didn't pitch this year following surgery in February to
repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff. He threw a scoreless inning Sept. 6 for
Class-A Fort Myers in his only rehab appearance.
The Red Sox sent right-hander Chris Province to the Twins
on Saturday to complete the trade. The 24-year-old was 2-4 with one save and a
2.60 ERA in 43 relief appearances at Double-A Portland.
Bonser had been eligible for arbitration.
Boston has six players eligible for arbitration: closer
Jonathan Papelbon, outfielder Jeremy Hermida, first baseman Casey Kotchman and
pitchers Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima and Ramon Ramirez.