Red Sox Trade Rumors: Nationals Interested in Shoppach and Salty

Home » Rumors » Red Sox Trade Rumors: Nationals Interested in Shoppach and Salty

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweeted Monday night that the Washington Nationals had a scout at the Red Sox/Mariners game with an interest in watching the Red Sox catchers. Recently the Nationals lost their full time catcher Wilson Ramos due to what could be a season ending torn ACL. The injury happened a few days ago and now the Nationals are left to try and fill the void.

Cafardo didn’t report on who in particular the Nats were watching but with Kelly Shoppach in the game, one has to wonder if it is the part-time catcher they are interested in. Shoppach would not warrant a huge return should the Red Sox decide to part ways with him given he’s been mainly used in a back-up role to Jarrod Saltalamacchia this season.

Shoppach has a line of .244/.358/.400/.758 with no home runs and 5 RBI.

With Ryan Lavarnway waiting patiently in triple-A Pawtucket, a deal for one of the two current backstops is a real possibility, one that was buzzing this spring when the club signed Shoppach. The Nationals had to have been impressed with Salty’s 5 RBI game on Sunday.

Lavarnway hasn’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball in the minors but many feel he is working on improving his ability to call the game in an effective manner, something that the Red Sox will need out of him should he catch on a full-time basis with the big club.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports tweets that Shoppach is likely to be of more interest to the Nationals.

We’ll monitor this situation and provide you with the latest updates.

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Topics: Boston Red Sox, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Kelly Shoppach, Ryan Lavarnway, Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramos

Bad Brad

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“Recently Salty has undergone criticism for what many are calling his inability to call a good game behind the plate, leaving many wondering if that is the reason for the Red Sox starting pitching struggles to this point.”

It would be great if there was a source – any source – cited for such a proposition. Its just the starters who he has trouble with? Not the relievers? Does that make sense when we are talking about game calling? When the pitchers do well, they should get the credit. When the fail, they should get the blame.

Otherwise, do we conclude that Salty had an awesome weekend since the staff only gave up 4 runs in 3 games? (Awesome is how Daniel Bard described him.)

I like this site becasue I don’t hear the same Cafardo/Edes drivel like the other outlets. Don’t fall into that trap of repeating un-documented sources like they do.
Derek Stykalo

@Bad Brad thanks for the comments Bad Brad. I travel a lot and listen to WEEI.com in the truck. There has been chatter about Salty’s game calling from radio personnel and callers and my bad for not stating that in the post. I agree that when things go bad for a starter, it’s easy to point the finger at Salty. I believe he’s learning his role and is getting better and it’s not fair to compare him to Varitek as that is an elite level when discussing great catchers who call a great game.
I appreciate the feedback and I will assure you I won’t fall into that ‘trap’ you mentioned.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the comments. I look forward to more discussions.
JLFCASH

First: I can’t resist being a grammar geek. You spelled manner m-a-n-o-r as in reference to an estate rather than it’s actual spelling in reference to behavior.

If the Nats have interest in our catching department, Cherington should be bold and say Lavarnway and Alex WIlson for Strasburg. I doubt we’d shop Saltalamacchia since he’s under team control beyond this season. Plus they were watching Shoppach. Chances are we deal him and have Lavarnway back up Salty (soxprospects has his ceiling as a backup/DH). Maybe Shoppach for Matt Purke.
Derek Stykalo

@JLFCASH thanks for the catch Cash. The more I read on this today it appears evident that Shoppach is the target of the Nats.
http://www.cpasitesolutions.com/cpa-websites/ cpasitesolutions

I think Shoppach has been great when he’s played for us. I’d be bummed to see him go. But, if we get a good trade out of the deal I guess it wouldn’t be so bad!

http://www.cpasitesolutions.com/cpa-websites/
EarlNash

Sox would likely want a Pitcher in return. Might add in Lars Anderson with Shoppach and get Lannan in return?
http://bosoxinjection.com/author/michaellavery/ Michael Lavery

Last night showed that Beckett doesn’t NEED his personal catcher. Even though it was against a bad lineup. I think the Sox could get Lannan straight up for Shoppach, if they take the contract off the Nationals. I don’t know if they’d want him. I mean, I guess he’s something. Either way, I’d love to see Lavarnway up here.
EarlNash

Shoppach for Lannan? Lavarnway to Fenway.