Red Sox may have to make a decision on catcher mat thais soon. MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reports that several players in minor league contract camp have upward mobility clauses or opt-out clauses in their contracts. Most of that will come during the season. With the Thais, he has an upward movement clause five days before Opening Day. Cotillo also noted that Thaiss will earn an annual salary of $1.3 million if he is added to the roster.
Once the upward mobility clause is triggered, the player will be available to the other 29 clubs in the league. If any of them are willing to offer the player a roster spot, the signing club must either offer him a roster spot themselves or trade him to another club. If no club offers him a roster spot, he could be sent down to the minors for non-roster depth.
Thaiss, 31 in May, is competing for the backup job. Carlos Narvaez. Although Thaiss’ defense is questionable, he clearly has a keen eye for the plate, having walked 13.1% of his career plate appearances. This helped him produce a .210/.320/.332 batting average. The resulting 84 wRC+ means his production was 16% below the league average hitter, but since backstops are typically about 10 points below the baseline, that’s not too bad for a backup catcher.
Sox Connor Wong Although on the roster, he still has minor league options remaining and posted a poor .190/.262/.238 line last year. Mickey Gasper You can choose and play different positions as well. If the Sox want, they could add Thaiss to the roster and select Wong and Gasper to provide depth in Triple-A. Doing so would require opening up a 40-man roster spot for Thaiss. If you are not willing to do so, you can force him to go somewhere else.
There are a few other contract provisions the Sox should consider, but they aren’t as urgent. Cotillo adds that right-hander Kyle Keller There is also an upward mobility clause, but not until April 15th. Cotillo previously reported a less specific mid-April date for that provision.
That means the Sox could keep Keller at minor league depth for at least the first few weeks of the season and delay a decision until then. Keller also has an unspecified opportunity to opt out of his contract after April 15, with a clause allowing teams in Japan and South Korea to pursue him if a spot is not available on the major league roster. Keller has pitched in Japan the past four years, posting a 2.42 ERA in 152 1/3 innings.
The Sox have a lot more breathing room with other deals. infielder Vinnie Capra There is an opt-out date on June 1st. catcher Jason Delay There are opt-outs on June 30th and August 15th. Delay is in the same catch mix as Thaiss. If Thaiss goes elsewhere, Delay’s chances of landing a spot will increase. If he’s still unhappy with his situation this summer, he’ll have a few opportunities to look for greener pastures.
Capra seems a bit stuck right now. The Sox Project Aysia Kiner-Falepa As a multi-position bench infielder. They also Andru Monasterio, Anthony Siegler, nate eaton, Nick Sogard and blue On the list. A slew of injuries could change the calculus, but if the path isn’t clear, Capra will have a chance to leave.
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images
