Rocco close to Sox signing?

Tampa Bay Rays look to have lost out in the race for Rocco Baldelli, their first round pick in the 2000 draft, according to Tampa Bay Online.
The website cites an ESPN report that Baldelli was close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, on the eve of the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner where he was to be presented with the Tony Conigliaro Award.
The article explains: 'That honor goes to a player who has overcome adversity, and Baldelli's battle through an energy-sapping disorder to return to the Rays on a limited basis late in 2008 certainly qualifies. Questions over how often Baldelli will be able to play persist even after he recently received what he described a clarified, more positive diagnosis that suggests his ailment should be more treatable than previously thought.
The Rays maintained an interest in bringing back the 27-year-old, their first-round pick in the 2000 draft, but their signing of Pat Burrell this week essentially left them too short on funds to compete with Baldelli's other suitors. The Pirates, Reds and Yankees also were believed to have varying degrees of interest in the Rhode Island native.
The Red Sox, however, seemed most intrigued by Baldelli all along, to the point that the outfielder had an in-person meeting with general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona to discuss his situation.'
Let's hope the Rays don't live to regret letting Baldelli slip through their fingers...