The Boston Red Sox this offseason considered signing multiple catchers to bolster their major league depth. They didn't land any of their top targets, such as J.T. Realmuto or Victor Caratini, so they turned back to a familiar face.
The Red Sox on February 4 claimed Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Washington Nationals, via Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. He's been placed on the 40-man roster, which now sits at 39 players.
Gasper, a Merrimack, New Hampshire native, has moved around MLB quite a bit in the last few years. The New York Yankees selected him in the 27th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He made it to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2023, months before the Red Sox selected him in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft.
In 2024, Gasper batted .328/.439/.531 with a .970 OPS between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. His 48 games in Triple-A really boosted his season numbers — he batted .367/.471/.592 with a 1.063 OPS there with 14 doubles, eight homers and 30 walks to 20 strikeouts.
Red Sox reunite with minor league catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper after claiming him off waivers from the Nationals
In the final stretch of the season, he appeared in 13 games for the Red Sox without logging a hit. Sox fans were pulling for Gasper, who posted four walks, eight strikeouts and a run.
On December 24, 2024, Boston traded Gasper to the Minnesota Twins for reliever Jovani Morán. Gasper struggled at the plate with the Twins, logging a .158/.257/.232 slash line over 45 games. He suited up as Minnesota's catcher in 19 of those games, he played first base in seven, and also logged innings at second base, left field and as the designated hitter. The Nationals claimed him off waivers after the Twins designated him for assignment in January.
Gasper, 30, will serve as catching and infield depth for a Red Sox lineup that still has some holes with just days until spring training. Boston previously used him as a second baseman and at first base, and he's never caught for the Red Sox at the big league level.
Gasper joins Jason Delay as a potential catching reinforcement as the Red Sox hope to be better prepared than they were last season. Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez both experienced injuries last season (although Narváez played through his meniscus issue) and Boston's backup options were rough. Gasper could fill in at first base if Willson Contreras is hurt or needs a break, or at second base in the same case. It will be interesting to see where he lands after spring training, if he makes the Opening Day roster or sticks around with the Red Sox organization in Triple-A.