A.J. Pierzynski Signs Deal With Boston Red Sox, Jarrod Saltalamacchia Likely Gone
A.J. Pierzynski is in for the Boston Red Sox, which means that Jarrod Saltalamacchia is likely out.
On Monday Pierzynski signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox, one worth a reported $8.25 million. The deal hasn’t been finalized, and Pierzynski will still have to pass a physical before joining the team, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported.
The 37-year-old A.J. Pierzynski hit.272 last year with 17 home runs and 70 RBI last season, appearing in 134 games for the Texas Ranges.
Pierzynski has gained a reputation around the league as something of a pest, a player that other teams despise playing against, but teammates love him.
“Playing against him for so long, he was probably one of my least liked guys,” Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz told Sports Illustrated of his mindset before Pierzynski became a teammate in 2010. “Then my locker was right next to his, and after that he became one of my favorite teammates ever. He’s not a baby, but just a guy who is so passionate that he doesn’t hold anything back. Until you play with him, you have a misperception of what he is.”
Experts believe the addition of Pierzynski means the Sox will not make much of an effort to retain Saltalamacchia. The team has reportedly offered the catcher a two-year deal, but he has already received another offer from the Florida Marlins.
Saltalamacchia hit.273 for the Boston Red Sox last year, with 14 home runs and 65 RBI. He struggled at times in the playoffs, hitting just.188 in 10 games.
Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN says the Marlins and Minnesota Twins, the other team interested in Saltalamacchia, will need to solidify offers within the next day.
Industry sense: #MNTwins & Marlins need to make finals offers to Salty in next day. 3/$24M could get but belief: MN has to best Miami offer.
— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) December 3, 2013
A.J. Pierzynski should join the Red Sox within a few days pending his physical.
