Red Sox Sign Veteran Catcher Yasmani Grandal to Minor League Deal After Wong Injury
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have signed veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal, 36, to a minor league deal, addressing their immediate need behind the plate following Connor Wong’s broken finger. Grandal will report to Triple-A Worcester adn could earn a $1.35 million base salary if added to the major league roster.
Catcher Injury Forces Red Sox’s Hand
Connor Wong suffered a broken left pinky finger and is expected to miss at least a month. The injury prompted the Red Sox to seek experienced reinforcement, with Carlos Narvaez and Blake Sabol currently filling the catcher positions.
Grandal’s Career: From All-star Caliber to Veteran Role
Grandal was an All-Star from 2016-2019, showcasing power and offensive prowess, averaging 25 home runs per season with an .814 OPS. After signing with the White Sox in 2020, his performance declined. He played for Pittsburgh last season and was not with a team this season prior to signing with Boston.
Grandal Faces Ramp-Up Period in Worcester
Grandal, who has not participated in spring training, will require time to get game-ready at Triple-A Worcester. Despite his age and recent inactivity, he is viewed as a possibly better option than Sabol, the team’s current backup catcher.
switch-Hitting Stats and Defensive Decline
As a switch-hitter, Grandal has a career .780 OPS batting right-handed compared to .766 as a left-handed hitter. Defensively, Grandal’s play has declined in recent years.In his last season in the American League, he allowed 98 stolen bases.
Seby zavala Overlooked
The Red Sox also have Seby Zavala, a journeyman catcher with more major league experience than Sabol, at Worcester. However, Zavala was not on the 40-man roster and was passed over in favor of Grandal.
how does Yasmani Grandal’s recent offensive performance compare to his All-Star years (2016-2019)?
Red Sox Sign Veteran Catcher Yasmani grandal to minor League Deal After Wong Injury
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have signed veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal, 36, to a minor league deal, addressing their immediate need behind the plate following Connor Wong’s broken finger. Grandal will report to Triple-A Worcester adn could earn a $1.35 million base salary if added to the major league roster.
Catcher Injury Forces Red Sox’s Hand
Connor Wong suffered a broken left pinky finger and is expected to miss at least a month. The injury prompted the Red Sox to seek experienced reinforcement, with Carlos Narvaez and Blake Sabol currently filling the catcher positions.
Grandal’s Career: From All-star Caliber to Veteran Role
Grandal was an All-Star from 2016-2019,showcasing power and offensive prowess,averaging 25 home runs per season with an .814 OPS. After signing with the White Sox in 2020, his performance declined. he played for Pittsburgh last season and was not with a team this season prior to signing with Boston.
Grandal Faces Ramp-Up period in Worcester
Grandal,who has not participated in spring training,will require time to get game-ready at Triple-A Worcester. Despite his age and recent inactivity, he is viewed as a possibly better option than sabol, the team’s current backup catcher.
switch-Hitting Stats and Defensive Decline
As a switch-hitter, Grandal has a career .780 OPS batting right-handed compared to .766 as a left-handed hitter. Defensively, Grandal’s play has declined in recent years.In his last season in the American league, he allowed 98 stolen bases.
Seby zavala Overlooked
The Red Sox also have Seby Zavala, a journeyman catcher with more major league experience than Sabol, at Worcester. However, Zavala was not on the 40-man roster and was passed over in favor of Grandal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yasmani Grandal and the Red Sox
Q: Why did the Red Sox sign Yasmani Grandal?
A: The Red Sox needed a catcher after Connor Wong’s injury. They sought an experienced player to fill the void behind the plate, opting for Grandal’s veteran presence and potential over current options.
Q: What’s Grandal’s current status?
A: Grandal is starting in Triple-A Worcester to get game-ready. He hasn’t played competitively this season, so he needs time to ramp up before a potential major league call-up.
Q: how good was Grandal in his prime?
A: Grandal was an All-Star from 2016-2019, averaging 25 home runs per season. His peak performance made him one of the more potent offensive catchers in the league.
Q: What are grandal’s strengths and weaknesses now?
A: Grandal is still a switch-hitter with a decent OPS. however, his defensive skills, notably his ability to prevent stolen bases, have declined. The Red Sox will hope his offensive contributions offset defensive struggles.
Q: Why was Seby Zavala not chosen over Grandal?
A: While Zavala has more MLB experience than Sabol, he wasn’t on the 40-man roster. This made Grandal, who is on the 40-man roster, a more straightforward addition.
Q: What can fans expect from Grandal if he makes the Red Sox roster?
A: Expect a veteran presence who can provide occasional power from either side of the plate. The Red Sox are likely hoping he can stabilize the catcher position until Wong returns. Keep an eye on his plate appearances and defensive performance.
As Grandal works his way up to the major leagues, stay informed about the Red Sox and follow his progress!
