*Red Sox agree to terms with 1B-DH Bob Hamelin, RHP Rich Garces*
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BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox are hoping the addition of
a former American League Rookie of the Year can help offset the
loss of a former Most Valuable Player. 

The Red Sox came to terms today with 1994 AL Rookie of the Year
Bob Hamelin on a minor league contract and invited him to spring
training.  The Red Sox also agreed to terms with righthander
Rich Garces on a minor league pact, inviting him to spring
training. 

Hamelin, 31, could provide some of the left-handed power the Red
Sox will miss with the departure of free agent Mo Vaughn, who
signed with Anaheim during the offseason.  Hamelin hit .219 with
seven homers and 22 RBI in 146 at-bats for Milwaukee last
season, including 12-for-54 with four homers as a pinch hitter. 

"Bob Hamelin has the ability to potentially provide our club
with strength and depth off our bench next season," said Boston
general manager Dan Duquette, who has done well in resurrecting
players.  "He's a former AL Rookie of the Year and we will bring
him to big league spring training camp to see how he may help
our 1999 club." 

Hamelin hit .282 with 24 homers and 65 RBI in 312 at-bats for
the Kansas City Royals in 1994.  The six-year veteran spent his
first four seasons with the Royals before single campaigns with
the Detroit Tigers and Brewers. 

Garces, 27, was 1-1 with one save in 30 games for the Red Sox
last season.  A six-year veteran, he is 4-6 with three saves and
a 3.99 ERA in 105 games. 

"A healthy Rich Garces has had great success with the Red Sox in
recent seasons," added Duquette. "He may provide our strong
bullpen with even more depth for next year."