Boston avoided arbitration with Jarrod Saltalamacchia by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Sunday. Saltalamacchia bore the bulk of the catching load last season (103 games), hitting only .235 (with an awful .288 OBP). However, he did clout 16 HRs along with 56 RBIs. Defensively, Salty did markedly improve—throwing out a very respectable 31% of runners in 2011. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Red Sox really see him as their long-term backstop—especially having obtained Kelly Shoppach and with prospects like Ryan Lavarnway and Blake Swihart in the pipeline.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Salty And Sox Agree To One-Year Deal
Boston avoided arbitration with Jarrod Saltalamacchia by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Sunday. Saltalamacchia bore the bulk of the catching load last season (103 games), hitting only .235 (with an awful .288 OBP). However, he did clout 16 HRs along with 56 RBIs. Defensively, Salty did markedly improve—throwing out a very respectable 31% of runners in 2011. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Red Sox really see him as their long-term backstop—especially having obtained Kelly Shoppach and with prospects like Ryan Lavarnway and Blake Swihart in the pipeline.