Red Sox Acquire Catcher Quiroz From Seattle

In a minor move today, the Red Sox acquired catcher Guillermo Quiroz from the Mariners for cash considerations. After a very strong start to the season for the Red Sox catching position with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach having great years, things haven’t been so good over the past few months. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is batting .201 since the start of June, Kelly Shoppach was traded to the Mets in mid-August, and Ryan Lavarnway is batting .174/.237/.217 since being called up from Pawtucket. 

However, I still have virtually no idea why (and how, it being past every Trade Deadline) they acquired Quiroz. Through parts of seven major league seasons with the Blue Jays, Mariners, Rangers, Orioles, and Mariners again, Quiroz has put up an unimpressive .208/.267/.278 triple slash line. The 30 year old is far past prospect status, but has put up solid numbers in Triple-A Tacoma this year, making the Triple-A All Star Team with a line of .278/.362/.483 and 15 home runs.

Even though this is almost certainly merely a depth move, I don’t understand why the Red Sox would even pay the Mariners for Quiroz. They should be using this September to give Lavarnway at bats to try and boost his self confidence a little. With the Triple-A season finished though, it appears Quiroz will be in the majors. All in all, just a weird move for the Red Sox to acquire a guy that they have no use for and will be a free agent in less than a month.