Ex-All-Star Slugger Available; Red Sox Could Make Move To Bolster Catching Depth

Should the Red Sox take a chance on a former All-Star on a minor league deal?

The Boston Red Sox certainly could use some catching depth. 

Boston entered spring training seemingly with a surplus at catcher with Connor Wong, Reese McGuire, and Jorge Alfaro all fighting for two big league roster spots. Wong and McGuire earned the two sports and Alfaro was sent to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. Alfaro recently opted out of his contract and latched on with the Colorado Rockies after failing to be called back up to the big leagues. 

The Red Sox have been set at catcher all season to this point, but McGuire was forced to leave Wednesday's contest against the Minnesota Twins after suffering a right oblique and was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday. Boston responded to McGuire's injury by calling up 28-year-old backstop Caleb Hamilton from Worcester. 

With Wong and Hamilton now on the big league roster, the Red Sox could use more depth in the minor leagues. One player who now is available and could be a low-cost, high-reward option is former Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cleveland Guardians catcher Mike Zunino. 

The one-time All-Star struggled to open the season with Cleveland slashing .177/.271/.306 to go along with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 42 games. Zunino was designated for assignment and then released by the Guardians and now is available to sign with any club. 

While Zunino's numbers this season aren't great by any means, he is an 11-year veteran with plenty of American League East experience. Wong firmly is Boston's starting catcher, but he already has dealt with one injury in 2023 so adding as much depth as possible would be helpful. Boston could add Zunino to a cheap minor league contract and keep him with Worcester and if he was able to impress then bring him up to the big leagues to be Wong's backup if McGuire is out for an extended period. 

Boston could use some more depth, why not take a chance on a former All-Star with a minor league deal? 

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