The Red Sox tonight announced the trade sending Will Middlebrooks to San Diego Ryan Hanigan, Padres catcher, multiple outlets reported tonight. The deal is still pending a physical, which according to speculation is not a slam dunk due to Middlebrooks recent injury history. Still, the Red Sox announced the deal tonight, apparently not concerned that the physical could become a dealbreaker.
Hanigan will be joining his third team in three seasons. After five full seasons in Cincinnati, he signed a 3 year/$10.75 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays last December immediately after the Reds traded him to Tampa Bay. Hanigan likely hurt his market value with a terrible offensive year for Cincinnati slashing .198/.306/.261 in 2013. In 2014, he came back slightly, posting a .218/.318/.324 batting line. For his career, his OPS is .694. Hanigan was traded to the Padres only two days ago. as the Padres have made a flurry of moves this month. Though Hanigan slumped to throwing out only 21 percent of baserunners in 2014, he had led the National League with 48 percent each of the previous two seasons.
As reported on this site earlier today, Hanigan is known more for his defense than his offense. This tweet will illustrate this point succinctly.
Ryan Hanigan's ranks among active MLB catchers (min. 500 G):
— Jon Shestakofsky (@Shesta_HOF) December 20, 2014
Catcher's ERA: 1st, 3.61
Fielding Pct: 1st, .996
CS percentage: 3rd, 34%
Though Hanigan had been the Cincinnati for a few years, he was blocking the more offensively gifted Devin Mesoraco, who blossomed into an all-star last season slugging 25 homers with an .893 OPS. Hanigan is under contract for the next two seasons for $7.2 million, with an option for 2017, that is $3.75 million if picked up or $800 thousand if declined. During the tenure of that contract, the Red Sox could face a dilemma if catching prospect Blake Swihart continues to flourish offensively and has nothing left to prove in the minors. If Hanigan struggles at the same time as the remainder of the Red Sox offense, pressure could mount to give Swihart a chance even if they lose something defensively. The two years Hanigan is under control would get a bigger return in a trade rather than just a one year rental.
On his way to the sunnier climes of San Diego will be Boston’s one-time slugger Will Middlebrooks. After slugging 15 homers in his rookie season which saw him slash .288/.325/.509 in 75 games in 2012, Middlebrooks has struggled. After a broken wrist ended that 2012 season his offense suffered, slumping to .227 (with 17 homers) in 2013, culminating in an anemic .191/.256/.265 with only two homers last season. Middlebrooks has to prove himself all over again in the National League. Certainly, the Red Sox hope he doesn’t turn out to be another promising third sacker they traded away for an immediate need, named Jeff Bagwell.
A few hours ago, the Red Sox closed a deal with old friend Craig Breslow. So the Red Sox have filled the left-handed reliever void.
It would seem that a front line starting pitcher is all that remains on Ben Cherington’s offseason shopping list. Will Santa put one under his tree?