Red Sox Sign 7-Year Veteran Catcher

The Boston Red Sox have added some catching depth, signing a backstop with some flair (and even more hair!). 29-year-old Jorge Alfaro spent last season with the San Diego Padres, and the Red Sox will be his 4th major league team. 

Alfaro gets $2M base in majors and has opt outs on June 1 and July 1 if not in majors. He provides catching depth behind Reese McGuire and Connor Wong. https://t.co/rKKq2cm7Ha

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 16, 2023

It's a minor league deal, but with a $2M salary if he's with the Red Sox, and opt-outs on June 1st and July 1st if he's not in the majors. He joins Reese McGuire and Connor Wong in the Boston backstop brigade. 

Alfaro has a gun for an arm, ranking as the second-hardest throwing catcher in the bigs last season, as well as being athletic behind the plate, and having some pop at the dish.

And boy, can he flip a bat.

If you didn’t know already, Jorge Alfaro is the MAN. Sox are getting a good one here. Let’s go!
pic.twitter.com/93ChoYMAEb

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) January 16, 2023

More like a bat slam than a flip. Alfaro has simply been crushing the ball in the Dominican Winter League playoffs. He was hitting .383 with a 1.004 OPS with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 16 postseason games for the Tigres del Licey. 

In 2022 in the majors, he hit .246 with San Diego, with a .667 OPS, with seven dingers and 40 RBIs in 82 games. In his career, he has marks of a .256 average and .701 OPS.