After the 2010 season, both Boston Red Sox catchers will be free agents. It’s quite possible that Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek won’t be back for the Red Sox in 2011.
I believe Martinez will be back, but just in case he is not or even if he is, the Red Sox traded for some insurance over the weekend. The Red Sox acquired catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from the Texas Rangers for minor leaguers Ramon Mendez (no relation to Sam or Eva) and Chris McGuiness. The Red Sox will also include a player to be named later.
Saltalamacchia has been a huge bust since coming to the Rangers in the Mark Teixeira trade in 2007. He was supposed to become the Rangers’ catcher of the future and has been anything but.
Injuries, a case of Mackey Sasser syndrome (can’t throw the ball back to the pitcher), and a .243 average in a Rangers’ led to this trade. Perhaps a change of scenery will do him good in Boston.
Saltalamacchia is still only 25-years old, so there is plenty of time for him to turn things around.
McGuiness is having a monster season in Single-A. He has put up a .298/.416/.504 hitting line with 12 home runs in 282 at-bats.
He is a 22-year-old first baseman, who was drafted in the 13th round of the 2009 draft. While the Red Sox still have Kevin Youkilis and Lars Anderson is still lurking in the minors, I am a little surprised Boston would include McGuiness in a trade for Saltalamacchia.
Mendez is a 20-year-old pitcher, who had a 6.56 ERA with 9.9 K/9 in Single-A this season.
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