The Red Sox really are coming. Ten months after the Boston Red Sox’s sister company bought the Salem Avalanche, a Carolina League franchise, the Red Sox announced Friday that they have signed a two-year player development contract to provide players for that team.

The deal has been anticipated since the sale, awaiting mainly the expiration of both the Avalanche’s contract with the Houston Astros and the Red Sox’s contract with Lancaster in the California League. The two expired at the end of the 2008 season.

"We are committed to bringing championship-caliber baseball, and a team which the fans can take great pride in, to the Roanoke Valley," said Red Sox Director of Player Development Mike Hazen in a news release from the Avalanche.