Reese McGuire Opens Up About ‘Heartbreaking’ Red Sox DFA

The 2024 season didn’t unfold as Reese McGuire hoped.

McGuire, who had been with the Red Sox since August 2022, was losing opportunities in Boston while Connor Wong moved forward with his breakout campaign. Craig Breslow ultimately decided to bolster the catching situation by trading for Danny Jansen, and McGuire was designated for assignment one day after the deal with the Toronto Blue Jays was finalized.

The 29-year-old cleared waivers Friday and joined the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on Saturday. While McGuire technically still has a chance of wearing a Red Sox uniform again this season, his current situation is far from ideal.

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“At the end of the day, it’s a different reality now,” McGuire told reporters, per The Boston Globe. “Ultimately, for sure, it’s a heartbreaking moment in my career, especially with the clubhouse we had (in the big leagues), the staff we have there. It’s nothing but mutual love for everyone in there. It’s just a tough business.

“There were so many different outcomes that could have happened. We finally landed on kind of the worst-case scenario in a way. As a player you hope that another team trades for you. That window closes, then you hope a team at least claims you on waivers. That window closed. So then it was basically like, you don’t have enough service (to declare free agency and refuse the assignment), so you’re outrighted to this club.”

Nonetheless, McGuire is grateful for the opportunity to “keep playing baseball” in Worcester. The veteran backstop also has no doubts that he’ll be back in the majors in the future.

As for the Red Sox, they will try to win their series with the Rangers on Sunday. NESN’s full coverage from Texas begins at 1:30 p.m. ET.