When Danny Jansen reportedly signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, the Boston Red Sox experienced their first significant roster loss of the offseason. This departure sets the stage for the front office to explore creative solutions.
The next phase of Boston’s offseason strategy will unfold at the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, starting Monday. This event provides chief baseball officer Craig Breslow with a chance to explore various opportunities, including finding a replacement for Jansen. While Connor Wong is already positioned as the primary catcher, Jansen’s move to a division rival leaves the Red Sox needing reinforcements.
Free agency could be a viable option if the Red Sox are looking to add another catcher to share the workload with Wong in 2025.
Here are four potential candidates the Red Sox might consider:
Martín Maldonado
At 38 years old and with 14 MLB seasons under his belt, 2022 World Series champion Martín Maldonado is eyeing a return to the field in 2025, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. This could be an ideal fit for the Red Sox.
Like Jansen, Maldonado would serve as a short-term solution. While he struggled offensively last season with the Chicago White Sox—hitting just .119 with four home runs in 48 games—his value lies in his game-calling abilities. A reliable defensive catcher and 2017 Gold Glove winner, Maldonado could come at a low cost for Boston, possibly even on a minor-league deal.
Yasmani Grandal
The market for Yasmani Grandal is expected to attract interest from several teams, particularly after the 36-year-old finished the 2024 season strong with the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a .311/.440/.554 slash line and hitting five home runs in the final two months.
Grandal appeared in 72 games last season, marking the fourth time in the past five years he played fewer than 100 games. Despite being three seasons removed from his 23-home run campaign with the White Sox and five years since his last All-Star appearance with the Brewers, the 13-year veteran brings plenty of experience behind the plate.
Ultimately, he represents a short-term, low-risk option that carries minimal downside.
Gary Sánchez
Milwaukee extended a qualifying offer to Sánchez, but he turned it down, opening the door for other teams, including the Red Sox, to consider the two-time All-Star.
Previously a 30-plus home run hitter with the Yankees, Sánchez posted a .220/.307/.392 slash line with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs for the Brewers last season. Notably, he hit seven home runs in just 104 at-bats against left-handed pitching, though he missed a month due to a left calf strain.
The veteran power hitter could offer a low-cost option as a backup with the potential to add some pop to the lineup.
Kyle Teel
The Red Sox may not need to scour the free agent market, as the organization already boasts MLB’s No. 25 prospect.
Boston’s 2023 first-round pick, Kyle Teel, received a promotion from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester last season. In 28 games with the WooSox, the 22-year-old posted a .255/.374/.343 slash line, adding two home runs, three doubles, and 18 RBIs while sharing the field with fellow rising star Roman Anthony.
A big-league call-up for Teel seems well within reach, regardless of how the offseason or spring training shakes out. Either way, the Red Sox have plenty of flexibility.
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