The Red Sox already have two capable catchers in Christian Vázquez and Kevin Plawecki, but they were reportedly looking to make an addition at the position earlier this week.
According to Craig Mish and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Red Sox made an offer to the Pirates for catcher Jacob Stallings and “at one point thought” they had agreed to a deal for him. That never materialized and Pittsburgh ended up shipping Stallings to the Marlins for pitchers Zach Thompson and Kyle Nicolas as well as outfielder Connor Scott on Monday.
Stallings, who turns 32 later this month, had something of a breakout season in 2021, winning a Gold Glove while hitting .246 with eight homers and a .704 OPS in a career-high 112 games. Considering this year’s weak class for free-agent catchers (Yan Gomes was the headliner), Stallings drew strong trade interest once Pittsburgh made him available. The North Carolina product is under control for three more seasons -- two more than either Vázquez or Plawecki.
The Red Sox, with both Vázquez and Plawecki under contract and prospects Connor Wong and Ronaldo Hernandez both close to major-league ready, do not seem like an obvious fit for someone like Stallings, so an additional move likely would have been made if he was acquired. If a deal got done, Plawecki might have been non-tendered by Tuesday’s deadline instead of reaching a one-year agreement (worth $2.25 million) to avoid arbitration. A trade involving Vázquez, who regressed in 2021, would have been another possibility.
It’s unclear if the Red Sox plan to pursue catching help once the lockout concludes. But their reported pursuit of Stallings makes it at least somewhat possible.
Related links:
Boston Red Sox free agency: Chaim Bloom will target relievers when MLB lockout concludes
Ad Choices