The Boston Red Sox signed reliever Julian Tavarez to a two-year contract worth $6.7 million on Wednesday. Tavarez, 32, spent his last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran reliever posted a 3.43 ERA along with 47 strike outs in 65 innings last season. The Dominican native is 72-55 with a 4.32 career ERA spanning over 13 Major League seasons. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 1990. The Red Sox designated right-hander Tim Bausher for assignment in order to make room for Tavarez. Bausher was 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 44 outings with Triple-A Pawtucket last season. Breaking Down The Deal Julian Tavarez features a good fastball, slider and change-up. Primarily a groundball pitcher, the 32-year-old Tavarez should not have much trouble pitching in Fenway. The only downsides to Tavarez are his well-documented temper tantrums and mood swings that can affect his command and cause him to relinquish leads. Overall, I think this is a solid move by Boston?s two-headed monster (Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington). Julian Tavarez further solidifies the Red Sox bullpen. The additions of Tavarez and Mota to go along with Craig Hansen, Mike Timlin and closer Keith Foulke give the Boys of Beantown a formidable pen to navigate them through the 2006 campaign. My Grade: B Do you have a question, concern, or comment? ? Feel free to email me at [email protected]