Rocco Baldelli, Rhode Island's bravest center fielder, is this close to becoming the newest member of the Boston Red Sox.

Baldelli has struggled with a mitochondrial disorder, but the Boston Globe is reporting the Red Sox have checked out all his medical paperwork and are interested in giving their fans a fun new name to pronounce next season.

Lansing Waverly's finest John Smoltz is also rumored to be in Boston's crosshairs as well. The ageless 41-year-old would likely be out of commission until late May, but such things matter not to baseball's slightly less Evil Empire.

Baldelli close to signing with Red Sox; Smoltz not far behind   (Boston Globe)