The Boston Red Sox are open to the prospect of re-signing free-agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but may not be willing to give him the years he's looking for, reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston.
Red Sox rumors: Boston up for re-signing Jarrod Saltalamacchia on ‘short’ deal
While Salty is hoping for a three- or four-year deal, he may have to go shorter if he wants to return to the Sox next year.
Jared Wickerham
More Sox: Salty wants 3-4 years
Salty is reportedly seeking a three- or four-year deal this winter, but his market has been quiet for the first few weeks of the offseason, per Edes. If the switch-hitting backstop continues to strike out on finding takers for a deal of that length, he may have to lower his expectations, which could put the Red Sox back into the mix.
Boston is willing to bring Salty back for “short years,” according to Edes, which likely means a one- or two-year deal. The Sox paid Saltalamacchia $4.5 million in his final year of arbitration, a figure that may end up doubling now that he’s a commodity on the open market.
The 28-year-old put up some of his best numbers at the plate in 2013, batting .273/.338/.466 with 14 home runs and a career-high 40 doubles in 121 games. He hasn’t earned the best marks for his defense behind the plate, but catchers who average 40+ extra-base hits per season don’t grow on trees.
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