The Red Sox traded away
Blake Swihart to 'RedSoxSouthwest' (the Arizona Diamondbacks) yesterday for an unknown outfielder (
Marcus Wilson). Both GM
Mike Hazen and manager
Torey Lovullo are Boston alums. Thus, Swihart—once a highly-touted catching prospect—can likely get some steadier playing time in the desert. Originally from New Mexico, Swihart will also be going home to the region he grew up in. Right on cue,
he got an RBI pinch-hit single in his first game with Arizona. As far back as 2013, we were lucky enough to interview Swihart as one of several young Sox catching prospects. When asked about the competition at the backstop position, Swihart stated,
"We all just know that we have to go out and play and prove we can do the job—no matter what level we're at. It's a good group, we don't really butt heads with each other. We actually teach each other and talk to each other all the time." Swihart was always a class act and endured multiple setbacks in his young career—most notably injuries from being jerked-around at multiple positions by the Red Sox organization. His "super futility" role is hopefully now a thing of the past. Good luck, Blake!
