Kelly Shoppach Traded To Mets For Player To Be Named Later

In a relatively unsurprising move, Kelly Shoppach has been traded to the Mets. The Mets have expressed interest in Shoppach nearly all year as he will now upgrade a weak catching position led by Josh Thole (.262/.322/.321, 1 home run, 18 RBIs) and Rob Johnson (.250/.298/.288, 0 home runs, 4 RBIs). Shoppach, who has batted .250/.327/.471 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs this year, will add plenty of depth and talent to that Mets catching position especially against lefties– whom he’s batted .270/.364/.530 against in his career.

In return for Shoppach, the Red Sox will receive a player to be named later. In the case of Shoppach, the Red Sox will be probably be getting a mid-range prospect in return. From the Mets, some of these mid-range prospects the Red Sox could potentially acquire would be Jefry Marte (.259/.328/.384, 9 home runs, 54 RBIs at double-A Binghamton), Juan Lagares (.281/.335/.387, 3 home runs, 42 RBIs at double-A Binghamton), or Domingo Tapia (5-3, 3.44 at single-A Savannah).

Taking over as backup catcher with the absence of Shoppach should be Ryan Lavarnway. Lavarnway is yet to establish a ton of success at the major league level, but he’s had bunches of it in the minors and the 25 year old is considered the catcher of the future. SoxProspects ranks him as the #4 prospect in the Red Sox organization and has above average contact and power potential despite being not so good behind the plate. This should open up a door for Lavarnway and hopefully he takes advantage.