Report: Red Sox May Consider Trading Jarrod Saltalamacchia
BOSTON (CBS) -- If the Red Sox are to trade a catcher before the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, it was almost universally believed to be backup catcher Kelly Shoppach. According to one report though, the Sox will listen to phone calls inquiring about Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
ESPN's Jim Bowden reported via Twitter on Tuesday that Saltalamacchia is the biggest name the Sox would consider moving before the deadline.
"Sox brass wants to open door for Ryan Lavarnway and get younger," Bowden tweeted.
After years of hype surrounding Saltalamacchia, he's finally come into his own this season for the Red Sox. He's already belted a career-high 20 homers while driving in 46 runs for the Sox, and he's shown much improvement defensively. While he'd be a valuable commodity if the Sox were in contention, he instead represents a valuable trading chip for the 52-51 Red Sox.
Lavarnway, who turns 25 next week, is hitting .298 with eight homers and 22 doubles for Triple-A Pawtucket this season. Last year, in 17 major league games, he batted .231 with a pair of homers and eight RBIs.
Saltalamacchia is making just $2.5 million this season, so financially he'd be a bargain for any contending team looking to add a catcher, and he'll be arbitration-eligible next season.
