Diamondbacks Sign Outfielder Cody Ross to Three-Year Deal

September 20, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Cody Ross (7) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks continued to stay busy this off-season signing outfielder Cody Ross to a three-year deal worth $26 million. The 32 year-old comes to Arizona after playing last season in Boston, where he hit .267 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI’s. Ross is a career .262 hitter in nine major league seasons. The versatile Ross has played all three outfield positions during his career and has catalogued time as a designated hitter which could help Arizona during Interleague play.

Ross has bounced around during his major league career. Boston was his sixth stop (Detroit, L.A., Cincinnati, Florida, San Francisco) as Ross now will stop the carousel for at least three seasons by joining the D’backs.  Many Diamondbacks fans know Ross from his days with the San Francisco Giants, in which his heroics, helped the Giants win the 2010 World Series.

Ross’ signing creates a crowded outfield in Arizona, as this move has lead to rumors that other Arizona outfielder’s might be traded.  With six outfielders expected to compete for playing time (Upton, Kubel, Parra, Eaton, Pollock, Ross), the Diamondbacks will have to address this situation sooner than later. Both Justin Upton’s and Jason Kubel’s names have resurfaced as potential trade options for the D’backs following the signing of Ross.