Rob Cinquegrano Re-Signs with M.C.

HOUGHS NECK,MA - Free-agent infielder Rob Cinquegrano has agreed in principle to the framework of a three-year deal to return to the Hammers, Boston South Shore League sources close to the negotiations have confirmed.

Cinquegrano, 37, tested the free-agent waters for one year, and may have received at least one four-year offer from another undisclosed team, but in the end the infielder elected to come back where he was most comfortable.
The shortstop was a major piece to the McInnis Carpentry success from 2002 to 2006, anchoring one of the leagues strongest infields. He was named the MVP in the Hammers 2-0 1st round sweep of Louies in the 2005 playoffs, belting a clutch 3-run home run to break a 17 all tie in extra innings.

While the sides have reached the outline of the deal, there are still minor issues to be worked out and as of Thursday evening there still was not a signed letter of agreement between the team and Lowell's agents. Team General Manager Tom Fratolillo declined comment.

The Hammers had placed a deadline of today for Cinquegrano to make up his mind. If he had passed on the clubs offer, which remained pretty close to the original offer they made, they were ready to begin implementing their Plan B.

"How cool is that?," wrote M.C. outfielder John Gray on his blog about Cinquegrano's return. "Leaving better deals on the table to come back here for three more years, good stuff. Pretty nice to think we are a desired destination for athletes across the city. Come a long way for sure. Congrats to Cink and I’ve already spoken with a few guys on the team and suffice to say we’re all ectstatic."

Cinquegrano teammates made clear that they wanted to see him back in the Black & Orange — and urged the front office not to pursue Chefs free agent third baseman Steve Mullen.

"Forget about Mully. We've got Cink in the house," yelled M.C. pitcher Steve McInnis while working on one of the decks at the new team headquarters facility.

The Hammers have now signed a major free agent in an attempt to fill the hole left by the injured Scott Logan. The Black & Orange can now entertain a deal for an outfielder or first baseman, two major needs for the club.