Report: Kelly Shoppach Could Be Hot Commodity On Trade Market
BOSTON (CBS) -- Whether it's for this year or for the future, the Red Sox are going to need some help to get back to being a championship contender. Fortunately, they may have a valuable trading chip that could get them some pieces.
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweeted Tuesday that he's "guessing Kelly Shoppach is about the most popular man in trade talks right about now," noting that the Angels and Nationals are among teams in need of a catcher.
The Red Sox' backup catcher is hitting .265 with five doubles, a triple and a home run, which he hit Monday night at Fenway Park. The 32-year-old is signed to a one-year deal at just $1.35 million, and he's proven to be a much better hitter than his .196 and .176 averages in the past two seasons indicated. Behind the plate, he's gunned down one base runner on five stolen base attempts.
Shoppach's played in just 16 games this season, compared to Jarrod Saltalamacchia's 26. And with Ryan Lavarnway hitting .271 with a pair of homers in Pawtucket, the Sox could certainly afford to part ways with Shoppach, should an enticing deal arrive.
