Ryan Sweeney will apparently get another chance with the Boston Red Sox.   The 27-year-old outfielder ended his own 2012 season, and will now have to win a spot on the Sox 2013 Major League roster.  The two sides agreed upon a minor league contract, with an invitation to major league camp that would allow him to elect free agency if he is not added to the major league roster prior to the end of spring training, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.



Sweeney, a left-handed swinger with a .280 career BA, was acquired by the Red Sox following the 2011 season from Oakland in the same deal that brought Andrew Bailey to Boston.  Considered a fine defensive outfielder, Sweeney, who came to the Majors with the White Sox, has still never managed to amass 500 at-bats in a season.  He is primarily a low strikeout, singles and doubles type hitter, and his lack of HR power combined with injuries has kept him from playing full time.

His 2012 season ended on a low note, literally.  After a blazing hot start in April, an 0 for four night on June 30 saw his BA drop to a season low .260.  In frustration, Sweeney punched a Fenway Park dugout door.
The native of Cedar Rapids, Ia., broke his hand in doing so, and required season ending surgery.

Sweeney was rumored to be talking to the Twins and Orioles at various times during the off-season, but his own tweet messages imply that he signed where he wanted to be.

Ryan Sweeney  @RyanSweeney12