Danny Jansen’s stint with the Red Sox lasted just two months, but he’s remaining in the division he has called home for his entire major league career.
Danny Jansen is leaving the Red Sox, but staying in the AL East. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP
Jansen is headed to the Rays on a one-year, $8.5 million contract, according to multiple reports (including from the Tampa Bay Times and FanSided). The veteran catcher reportedly chose Tampa Bay over multiple teams offering him multi-year deals. He’s the latest backstop to come off the market early in free agency, joining Kyle Higashioka (Rangers), Travis d’Arnaud (Angels), Jacob Stallings (Rockies) and Austin Hedges (Guardians).
Other than when he made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to play for two teams in the same game on August 29, Jansen had a largely forgettable cameo in Boston. The Red Sox acquired him from the Blue Jays for three prospects on July 27 to upgrade the backup catcher position (while cutting Reese McGuire) and potentially adding a right-handed bench bat in the process. Ultimately, Jansen hit just .188 with three homers, six RBIs and a .623 OPS in 30 games after the trade. For the season, he hit .205 with nine homers and a .658 OPS between the Jays and Red Sox.
Jansen posted some good seasons on both sides of the ball in seven years in Toronto and looked like he could have been one of the top free agent catchers available this winter. His poor offensive season resulted in him having to take a one-year deal and he’ll likely get plenty of playing time in Tampa Bay, where Ben Rortvedt was the top catching option on the roster.
The Red Sox are in the market to add some catching depth with Connor Wong projected to once again begin the season as the starter and top prospect Kyle Teel likely debuting early in the year. Boston is more likely interested in a veteran bridge option (potentially on a low-guarantee major league deal or a minor league contract) to back up Wong and keep the seat warm for Teel early in the season. Jansen was in search of more playing time (and a better financial guarantee) than Boston is likely willing to give at this juncture.
Boston already added journeyman Seby Zavala to the mix on a minor league deal.
“We’ll certainly explore opportunities to get better,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said at the GM Meetings last month. “That includes potentially in kind of a backup role to Connor or however things shake out.”
Jansen is the first of Boston’s eight free agents to find a new team this winter. Luis García, Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, Nick Pivetta, Tyler O’Neill and Lucas Sims remain free agents while James Paxton announced his retirement.
