If you can't beat 'em...

Sign away their players. Boston, out-hustled for first in the American League East by the Tampa Bay Rays and then again in the ALCS, will sign former Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli. He'll play a backup role.

The Red Sox have been looking for a right-handed hitting fourth outfielder this offseason but their interest in Baldelli was tempered by the mitochondrial disorder from which the Cumberland, R.I., product was believed to have suffered. The disease causes a person to tire more easily and recover more slowly.

A re-evaluation this offseason determined Baldelli suffers from a less serious and more treatable form of channelopathy.

Hard to call Baldelli a difference-maker for the BoSox, but if he's healthy, he's pretty good. His loss won't break the Rays, who were without his services save for a month of games last season.

Fantasy Impact: He's a sleeper. Baldelli is considered a talent, but his health issues hold him back. Don't draft him, but don't leave him off your radar, either.

Baldelli gets new diagnosis

The ongoing health saga of Rocco Baldelli takes a twist for the better. It sounds like he might be able to treat his condition better after a new diagnosis.

In fact, a recent visit to the Cleveland Clinic led Baldelli's doctor there to conclude that his symptoms were more related to a set of diseases known as channelopathies than the more serious mitochondrial problems that Baldelli on Wednesday described as "the best diagnosis at the time."

"Basically, the situation has been clarified a little bit better because of further tests," Baldelli said by phone from Rhode Island. "It's positive news for my baseball career and my health."

Baldelli described channelopathy as "less severe and more treatable" than the mitochondrial disorder. According to MedicineNet.com, a channelopathy is a disease involving dysfunction of an ion channel for elements such as potassium, sodium, chloride and calcium.

Whatever the case, an improved Baldelli means an improved Tampa Bay Rays.