Red Sox sign outfielder Brennan Boesch to minor league deal
By Drew Peabody
The Red Sox signed Brennan Boesch to a minor league deal to provide organizational depth in an uncertain outfield mix.
The Boston Red Sox added to their organizational depth on Wednesday, signing Brennan Boesch to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Boesch, who will turn 31 in April, was drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft by the Detroit Tigers and then-General Manager Dave Dombrowski.
The six foot four, 225 pound Boesch had three solid seasons for the Tigers from 2010-12, bashing 42 homers while posting a .259/.315/.414 batting line splitting his time between the corner outfield spots. In 2013, Spring Training, the lefty hitting Boesch was released by the Tigers on March 13, after signing a $2.5 million dollar one year deal in his first arbitration year, in favor of recent signee Torii Hunter. Within two days he was then picked up by the New York Yankees. He started out well for the Yankees, batting .275/302/.529 in with three homers in 53 plate appearances but sustained an injury in May and was released later that summer due to a roster crunch in July of that season. Since then, Boesch has struggled at the major league level, posting OPS of .496 in 79 plate appearances for the Angels in 2013 and just .396 OPS in 94 PA for the Reds in 2014, while logging some time in center field.
More from Red Sox News
- Why Red Sox fans should be rooting for Carlos Correa’s Mets deal to go through
- Red Sox exec claims Mookie Betts loss changed management style, but actions say otherwise
- How realistic are the Boston Red Sox/Chris Sale trade rumors?
- Giants’ desperation post-Carlos Correa debacle highlights Red Sox’ lack of urgency
- Dave Dombrowski reunites with former Red Sox ace on Phillies
At almost 31, Boesch is no longer prospect but he is an experienced depth option in a Red Sox outfield that has some question marks. Rusney Castillo hasn’t played a full season without injury, and has not played up to his expectations of a $72.5 contract (.680 career OPS). Jackie Bradley, Jr., aside from one torrid month last season, has not hit well at the major league level. Though not disclosed, an out clause for Boesch to become a free agent if not in the majors at a certain point, is possibly part of his deal. The potential for Boesch to fill in at all three outfield spots and provide another lefty option off the bench.
It’s likely that Boesch will start the year at AAA Pawtucket, but sometimes signings like this can be a diamond in the rough. The Red Sox picked Mike Carp up off the Seattle Mariners scrap heap and he had an .885 OPS in 243 PA in 2013. Perhaps Boesch can capture similar lightning in the bottle again.
Next: Dustin Pedroia doesn't like defensive metrics
Stay tuned to BoSoxInjection.com for all the roster tweaks as Spring Training approaches.