Ryan Lavarnway is without a defined role in the Red Sox organization, creating plenty of speculation about whether Boston might consider dealing the 26-year-old.
CSNNE.com reported that the Red Sox are shopping Lavarnway, who has been trying to add first base to his repertoire this spring training because of Boston’s crowded catching situation. Lavarnway is attempting to block out such trade chatter.
“I know that I have no control over that,” Lavarnway recently told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford in Fort Myers. “I’m happy to play for the Red Sox. This is the only organization I’ve ever known. They gave me my opportunity and they’ve been really good to me. I would love to stay here. Then again, if there are opportunities, we’ll see where that goes.”
Lavarnway once was considered one of the Red Sox’s top prospects, but he seemingly has fallen out of favor somewhat because of his drop in power, which had been a hallmark of his game up until 2012. Lavarnway now sits behind major leaguers A.J. Pierzynski and David Ross and minor leaguers Christian Vazquez and Dan Butler on Boston’s catching depth chart, although his newfound ability to play first base could help his chances of earning a major league call-up this season, even if he’s not shipped away.
“I think it’s safe to say with each passing year, I’ve felt more prepared than the year before,” Lavarnway said. “I feel good where I’m at, my swing, my catching and first base is coming along quicker than I expected.”
Lavarnway, who hit .250 with three homers and 24 RBIs in 50 games with Pawtucket last season, hit .290 with 32 homers and 90 RBIs in 116 games split between Double-A and Triple-A during his breakout 2011 campaign.
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Photo via Wikipedia/Ryan Lavarnway
