With Jarrod Saltalamacchia‘s future in Boston very uncertain at the moment, the Red Sox may be setting their sights on another former Rangers catcher.
WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reported Sunday that the Red Sox have “shown some interest” in veteran backstop A.J. Pierzynski, who hit .272 with 17 home runs and 70 RBIs with Texas this season.
Pierzynski is not a particularly good defensive catcher, and with just 11 walks last season, his plate discipline — a hallmark of Boston batters — is questionable. He can still swing the bat, however, and even at 36 years old, he continues to be one of the game’s most durable catchers. Pierzynski has played more than 125 games in each of the last 12 seasons, including 134 in 2013.
Texas did not offer Pierzynski a qualifying offer after his one-year contract expired at the end of the season, meaning a team would not have to forfeit a first-round pick in order to sign him.
Brian McCann and Carlos Ruiz have also been rumored as potential candidates to fill the open catching slot in Boston alongside incumbent David Ross. Saltalamacchia re-signing with the team is also not out of the question, and 26-year-old Ryan Lavarnway remains an option within the organization.
