On Tuesday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox introduced veteran closer, Kenley Jansen, as the newest member of a bullpen they’ve been focused on improving.
But before they did that, they had to make a corresponding move to free up a roster spot, as the 40-man was full.
Red Sox designate former Yankee Hoy Park for assignment to open roster spot for Kenley Jansen
The unfortunate casualty of Jansen’s arrival turned out to be Hoy Park, the second baseman who can also play third, shortstop, and all three outfield positions. The Sox acquired Park from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Inmer Lobo the day after Thanksgiving, but originally he was a New York Yankee.
In 2014, the Yankees signed the 17-year-old Park as an international free agent out of Korea, and he made his professional debut in rookie league the following year. The first few years of his minor-league career were unremarkable, but when he finally got promoted to Triple-A during the 2021 season and hit .325/.475/.541 in 206 plate appearances, the Yankees finally gave him a shot during a July COVID-19 outbreak.
In an ironic twist, Park made his major-league debut on July 16, 2021, when the Red Sox came to the Bronx and shut out the Yankees 4-0. He entered the game in the seventh as a pinch-hitter for Tim Locastro, who’d end up tearing his ACL in the following game of the series. The Sox went on to claim Locastro off waivers from the Yankees in early November 2021, but they non-tender him by the end of the month, and he re-signed with the Yankees in March of this year.
Ten days after his brief debut, the Yankees traded Park and Diego Castillo to the Pirates in exchange for Clay Holmes. The Pirates assigned him to Triple-A but quickly promoted him again. He spent the remainder of the season coming up and down from Triple-A, including filling in for former Red Sox infielder Michael Chavis when he went on the Injured list at the end of August.
Park offered the Sox defensive versatility and speed two things they were sorely lacking in 2022. He’s also displayed impressive plate discipline over his 68 career games; his 10.5% walk rate is 2.1% above the league average.
Update: Boston Red Sox trade Hoy Park to Atlanta Braves
After DFA-ing a player, the team has seven days to add him back to the 40-man roster, trade him, or place him on waivers.
On Friday, the Sox sent Park to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Red Sox make huge splash by signing veteran closer Kenley Jansen
The Red Sox have made their first big signing, adding veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who led the National League in saves and games finished in 2022.