Red Sox sign former All-Star catcher to minor league deal (2025)

BOSTON — In need of help behind the plate in the wake of the injury to Connor Wong, the Red Sox signed 36-year-old catcher Yasmani Grandal to a minor league deal Thursday, an industry source confirmed.

Grandal will report to Worcester. He’ll earn a $1.35 million base salary if he makes the major league roster, according to an industry source. And the deal includes an opt-out clause that will force the Red Sox to make a decision on him rather soon.

Grandal’s deal, according to an industry source, includes a May 1 opt-out, meaning he can elect free agency and leave the organization if he’s not in the majors by then. That means the Red Sox have just three weeks to make a call on Grandal — and if he’s ready to play in the big leagues despite not attending spring training (he has remained unsigned since the end of last season).

Wong suffered a broken left pinky finger Monday night and is expected to be lost to the team for at least a month. For the time being, the Red Sox are going with a tandem of Carlos Narvaez and Blake Sabol, but neither has much in the way of big league experience.

From 2016-2019, Grandal was considered one of the best catchers in the game, averaging 25 homers per season with an .814 OPS. He’s a two-time All-Star.

But after signing a big free agent deal with the White Sox prior to the 2020 season, his performance dipped. He spent last season with Pittsburgh and wasn’t playing for anyone this season until signing with the Red Sox.

Having not been in spring training, Grandal will need time to ramp up at Triple A Worcester. Still, even at his age and without having played since last year, he’s probably a better option than Sabol, the team’s current backup.

A switch-hitter, Grandal has performed marginally better from the right side with a career .780 OPS, vs. the .766 he’s posted as as lefthanded hitter.

Behind the plate, Grandal was once considered well above-average, but in recent seasons, his defensive play has dipped. In 2023, his last season in the American League, he allowed 98 stolen bases, the most of anyone in the league.

His defensive runs saved have also regressed as he got into his mid-30s.

The Red Sox currently have Seby Zavala, a journeyman, in Worcester. Zavala has more major league experience than Sabol, but wasn’t on the 40-man roster and was passed over.

The signing of Grandal was first reported by FanSided’s Robert Murray.

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