The Boston Red Sox have carried three catchers on their major league roster since interim skipper Chad Tracy called Mickey Gasper up on May 7. That hasn't stopped the Sox from signing another backstop.
The Red Sox have signed catcher Andrew Knizner to a minor league deal, first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Knizner's professional career began as a top prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, where he peaked at No. 3 in their system. He's also played the majority of his major league games with St. Louis, but he's also signed with the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies organizations.
Knizner spent the beginning of the season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, an affiliate of the Rockies. He batted .279/.371/.590 with eight doubles, 10 home runs and 22 RBI over 33 games. He was released after triggering an opt-out clause.
The Red Sox signing yet another catcher is curious, especially because they also have former big leaguers Jason Delay and Matt Thaiss in Worcester. It's fair to speculate that one of the three could be called up soon, as there have been reports that the Red Sox have already tried to shop Connor Wong this year.
Red Sox sign catcher Andrew Knizner to minor league deal amid reports they're shopping Connor Wong
Boston doesn't need three big-league-caliber catchers on its roster, especially if it has no plans to contend for the postseason. Carlos Narváez had a breakout season last year and remains an elite defender in multiple metrics and Mickey Gasper has minimal trade value — Wong is the Sox's best bet on the market.
Wong is slashing .256/.344/.354 with eight doubles and 10 RBI over 31 games. He's hovered around the league average in blocks above average and above the lower quartile in caught stealing above average and framing. A team in the running for a playoff spot would surely like to have Wong as catching insurance.
The Knizner signing brings another Red Sox move full-circle. In 2023 while Knizner was still with the Cardinals, he briefly took over as their primary catcher so that Willson Contreras could be moved off the position (his best years as a catcher came with the Chicago Cubs organization from 2016-22). Contreras' initial move to the Cardinals' designated hitter spot eventually allowed him to transition to first base. Three seasons later, he's the best first baseman the Red Sox have fielded in years.
The Sox signing Knizner could finally allow them to move on from Wong (and the deeply problematic Mookie Betts trade). Knizner's offensive success in the minor leagues could inspire Boston to work quickly.
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