<div><p>Shortstop Marco Scutaro signed a two-year Major League Baseball contract worth 12.5 million dollars with the Boston Red Sox, boosting their title contender status.</p><p>The arch-rivals of the reigning World Series champion New York Yankees were ousted in the first round of the American League playoffs this year and filled an infield revolving door of seven shortstops since 2004 by inking Scutaro.</p><p>"We identified Marco as the best free agent and the guy that would be the best fit for the ballclub," general manager Theo Epstein said. "We're getting a really good player who's finally getting his chance."</p><p>Scutaro, 34, said he took less money than one unnamed rival club offered so he could play on a title contender.</p><p>"Since day one, this was my first choice," Scutaro said. "We have a chance to win a championship. ... You want to live the experience. You want to be in the World Series. I think this is the perfect team."</p><p>Scutaro played with the New York Mets and Oakland A's before taking a starting role at Toronto last year and having his best season in 2009 with 12 home runs, 60 runs batted in and a .282 average.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=64805062&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2009  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP American Edition</a></div></div>