5:45pm: Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News confirms the Rangers’ interest while relaying that the corresponding move would be placing infielder/outfielder Nick Solak on the injured list. Solak was recently diagnosed with a season-ending foot fracture. However, the transaction won’t happen right away, as Rob Bradford of WEEI relays that Plawecki can’t officially sign until 1:00pm on Wednesday.
5:30pm: The Red Sox have released catcher Kevin Plawecki, per Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. Plawecki had been designated for assignment on Friday. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports on Twitter that the backstop will be signing with a new team “imminently.” Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Rangers are expressing “serious interest” in signing Plawecki.
Plawecki, 31, has been with the Red Sox since signing with them in January of 2020. He spent much of the past few years serving as the backup behind Christian Vazquez, getting into 24 games in the 60-game 2020 season, followed by 64 last year and 61 here this year. He had a decent showing at the plate in the first two of those years but has slumped here in 2022, hitting just .217/.287/.287, wRC+ of 62.
With the Sox sliding out of contention and Plawecki heading into free agency at season’s end, it made logical sense to give more playing time to Reese McGuire and Connor Wong, since both of them come with years of control beyond the current campaign. However, it was reported yesterday that certain players on the team didn’t see it quite so simply, lamenting the loss of Plawecki as a veteran clubhouse leader.
Regardless of Plawecki’s reputation among his fellow players, he wasn’t likely to be claimed off waivers given his tepid performance and $2.25MM salary for this year. It seems that he has indeed cleared waivers and become a free agent, leaving Boston on the hook for the remainder of that contract. For whoever ends up grabbing Plawecki, they would only have to pay him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the roster, with that amount being subtracted from what the Sox pay.
For the Rangers, they currently have Jonah Heim as their primary catcher with Sam Huff as the backup. Huff has options and can thus be sent down to the minors if the club prefers to have Plawecki on the roster, or they could also carry three catchers given the expanded September rosters.
An available catcher? Farhan is all over this
Plawecki is jettisoned so Bloom can bring up a guy he traded for. This guys a pitcher, but unfortunately he can’t get anybody out. Bloom is the one who really really really needs to go, and the sooner the better.
Frank German figured it out in AA and AAA. He should figure it out in MLB.
AAA isn’t MLB. We need immediate help
Immediate? As in the next three weeks? There isn’t enough help in the world for Boston in 2022. Time to look for next year and see what you have.
I didn’t mean it like that, should’ve worded differently
Plawecki had a terrible runners throw out ratio 3-40, that’s what actually lost his job, along with a dead bat this year and plus the fact Wong is in the wings and slightly cheaper… end of story
that sums it up
Why would the Rangers sign him? They have Heim, Huff, Villoria, Pozo and will get Garver back next year as a catcher. They also have quality depth options in AAA and AA.
i honestly think with all his injuries and the pop, garver will get more time at 1b/dh due to all of those options
Pozo isn’t really a catcher. Villoria is a depth guy that’s not sticking on the 40. Really it’s Huff and Heim right now and maybe Garver next year. This probably more to get through the end of the season than for next year.
Is plawecki really a clubhouse leader though ??
If you don’t believe the other guys in the clubhouse, I’m not sure who we convince you
Mariners should be all over this. Casali probably going on paternity leave and Cal Raleigh still healing an injury. Leaves Torrens from AAA.
He’s a glue guy, that’s where he’s the most valuable. He is going to be that voice that helps a clubhouse function. A team like Seattle who has a rookie superstar can use a veteran to lean on during the playoffs.
Plawecki would be good on a team with a young pitching staff but an established starter behind the plate. He should not be counted on as a semi-regular/platoon player but is definitely a solid backup and mentor
I’m not sure how guys get credit for being a mentor. I always saw him as a capable backup, nothing more.
I’m also not sure about the leadership thing either. I know a couple of guys thought well of him, but this RS team doesn’t look scream out “leadership”.
Joe B, the “mentor” concept is a very real thing. Torii Hunter mentored Trout. Maddux helped Kershaw. With Catchers it is always a positive. Hardest position in baseball. At the pro level, it is insanely difficult. The old guard always passes on wisdom to the new. Tricks of the trade. The cycle has to continue.
Trumbo – Thank you for pointing out what shouldn’t need to be, but sadly there are some who disregard anything that doesn’t have an advanced metric attached to it. Everything you said is 100% true, just because a player doesn’t have top of the league numbers it doesn’t mean they don’t have a strong positive impact on his team. It’s not a coincidence that many MLB managers are former catchers who didn’t have particularly good playing careers.
A loosely called “fan” disputing what players have said about a current or former teammate is the epitome of arrogance IMO. Unless someone here happens to be in that clubhouse day after day, they shouldn’t speak as if they are.
U know fever u get pretty annoying with your snide nobody on this thread or shouldn’t have r to be said comments u always have to say. Plawecki a career journey man fine the clubhouse liked him but the Sox were losing with and without him. No one said anything about advanced metrics being a clubhouse leader. Torri hunter a way better player is not a fair comparison to being a Kevin plawecki voice in the clubhouse
The outcry of the players at his release shows you his value….Boston struggled because of injuries and lack of pitching depth especially bullpen depth. If you are a veteran guy just barely holding a roster spot, the best thing you can do is mentor someone on the team.
A voice of experience who’s been in the playoffs and a voice they haven’t heard would be a good person to have in the pen for the last few weeks that won’t cost the Rangers anything. He’ll be designated most likely after G-162. SMART MOVE.
Fever Pitch–good insight.