The Red Sox have re-signed catcher Juan Centeno, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). Centeno’s minor league contract contains an invitation to Boston’s Major League Spring Training camp.
Centeno chose to become a free agent in November after the Red Sox outrighted him off their 40-man roster. The 30-year-old backstop originally joined the Sox on a minor league deal last offseason and ended up appearing in seven MLB games during the 2019 season.
Those appearances marked seven straight seasons of Major League action for Centeno, though he has only 118 games and 371 total plate appearances as a big leaguer. The bulk of that experience came in 2016, when he hit a respectable .261/.312/.392 over 192 PA with the Twins, though Centeno has primarily been used as a depth option at the MLB level. Centeno will again return to that role in 2020, joining Jett Bandy as spring competition for Kevin Plawecki for the backup catching job behind incumbent Red Sox starter Christian Vazquez.
This is Chaim’s move of the month. It’s going to be a long season. How did we ever win 8 … it’s a miracle …
If and it’s a big if but the starters that we presently don’t get traded and stay healthy, the team is good enough to win. My worry is that such assumes a) Sale has a strong September which he’s never had; b) Eovaldi doesn’t go on the IL; c) Price’s elbow and hand don’t require more than an occasional exam from the team trainer and d) ERod’s knee doesn’t start acting up again. Prop bet anyone? Should be unreal odds for all that to happen.
@Dewey – I notice you don’t mention any prediction/expectation needed of perez…
Is he just assumed to be garbage time that costs the bullpen energy and results in losing 20+ of his starts next year?
All, you got it right. I expected more out of Porcello but at his worst, that’s what he was. Always took the ball.
Believe the knee cap issue was permanently fixed last time if happened, little over a year and a half ago which was a good thing. Some kind of arm issue would be more likely.
Notice all the relievers they signed via MiLB deals were of low velocity/garbage ball types. Yes, they did resign Tapia to another MiLB deal who throws hard, but he didn’t seem to take to the change of scenery well last year. Brasier coming back next year to me is a better hope than any of the pile that’s been signed so far.
Why so married to velocity? I think having velo variety in the pen can provide an advantage.
Interesting ‘pen note is that they have 4-5 curveball/prospective cb specialists out there.
And Barnes who has velo, can’t control it. My concern with ERod’s knee is once cut into, the risk of another surgery increases. I’ve had three, the last two by amongst the best in NYC. He’s a large framed guy and will always put pressure on his knee. Not saying he can’t stay healthy but last year was the first full year he’s had. Let’s see how it is going forward.
Even though it’s concerning about Erod’s knee, it wasn’t the area of the knee that most people have issues (the space between the femur and tibia). if I remember right it was an issue with his patella that was fixed.
Tampa’s model was to sign a dozen or so no-names a year, hoping one hit each year.
Then, when they near the end of arb cycles, trade away.
Hopefully that’s not to be the new model for boston. Fans expect something more, one of the reasons TB fans don’t make the extra effort to attend games, lack of connection to the team of guys they really want to root for/get invested in.
If guys like perez/peraza become the offseason highlights year in year out, well, I believe many fans may not follow as closely until the bloom era ends.
Holt is no HOF candidate, but, many of the fans love him. To not find the 3 or 4m/yr to bring him back and keep fans rooting for someone the team/community loves, but throw around equal money at peraza…. well, doesn’t look good.
That is a great post and you are bang on !! Right now I am disgusted to be a Red Sox fan. May go into ST without a manager ??? Keep digging those BBB’s bins Mr Bllom.
To be fair, general consensus at the time was that Holt would get significantly more than is now expected.
Randy…as for your disgust over not having a manager…why? Cora was fired just over a week ago. Assuming there looking for a somewhat specific candidate (bilingual, appreciation for analytics, ability to handle media market, etc), I would prefer they take their time and hire the right guy.
Give Bloom a break as he’s following orders. The real test is once they get under the cap, how he moves forward. I fully agree on Holt and still expect him to be back. Until he gets an offer he likes and the Sox refuse to match, that’s my belief. I also think other teams believe that too which would explain the tepid interest.
Epstein pioneered that approach to the bullpen, and we stuck with our team through it. Relievers are unreliable, and teams shouldn’t commit to them. Collect a bunch and hope to strike gold.
Yea unreal
The Bloom era is already wilting
That’s excellent Rocket. But I think long term Bloom will be good. This yr he’s trying to keep salaries down, therefore dumpster hoping. Dan Douquette did that constantly. I know his name is d sad pulled wrong!
It’s going to be an even longer season. I wonder if Cora will return in Boston one day? It’s good he’s gone cuz the drama would be nonstop if he was here. Give time to the press to find a new story. I saw the great Boras made the insane comment the Astro players don’t need to apologize since they were just following orders. It really upset me cuz we all know if HIS players don’t get the windfall of money in FA HIS money shrinks. Ok I just hadta spout off about Boras, don’t like him at all but I can see why his players do. It seems in all this drama no one, like Boras, thinks about the fans since ultimately it’s the fans whose money is tossed around, and we seem to be forgotten.
Following orders! Lol … They weren’t going to war they were being highly compensated to play baseball. What clown thing to say. I have always pushed back on Boras haters because his job is to get his clients the most money. Bottom line. But to some vile like that … come on man
Boras is only taking that stand because the cheating will affect their FA at, this lessening Boras’s commission. It’s all about the money nothing else.
“I saw the great Boras made the insane comment the Astro players don’t need to apologize since they were just following orders. ” Ah, the old Nuremberg defense. The good old days, when men were men, and Nazis were Nazis!
In the military they use to call something you fixed or made a Rube Goldberg project. Bloom is definitely the Rube Goldberg method of baseball. Maybe okay in a small market like Tampa Bay where they are lucky to get 7,000 fans attending a game. The fans in Boston are not going to buy this method of dumpster diving to pick up players.
Yeah because it’s Bloom that sets the budget right?
Bloom may not set the budget, but, he chooses what to do within it.
He could EASILY have freed up funds by taking accountability, and making one or two hard choices.
This sox lineup has too many question marks and lottery picks on the 26-man for a WIN NOW club.
No more budget? Fine, you non-tender JBJ, and take what you can get from one of price/eovaldi. Likely can free up at least 25m through those two moves.
Need space, put pedey through waivers then to AAA till he’s ready. Gain a 40 man spot, nobody would claim him, and after OVER TWO YEARS he should see the roster spot is needed for the team and not get upset when you meet and tell him before you do it.
Moves could be made that would’ve strengthened this team. But don’t hide behind ‘budget’ when a little bit of balls can remake the team and free up what you need (which is NOT a issue plagued 100+m rotation)
He could “easily” make “hard” choices? So are they easy, or hard? I’m confused.
I really like the way Bloom is, one by one, upgrading the bench and minor league players.
He did well in Tampa with an organization that did that.
And he’ll do well in Boston over time.
Impatient Red Sox fans need to stop watching the paint dry and the grass grow.and let the man do his job.
Bloom is quietly and logically acquiring assets for the Red Sox organization that will pay dividends for years and years to come.
On another note, if I had to guess I’d suspect that John Henry will make a move to keep Mookie Betts.
Henry seems to want to keep a balance between big spending and the bargain acquisitions Bloom can bring to the team.
Let’s see what happens but as long as Henry is the owner he’s got a fire in his belly to compete and win.
So for those out there that think Boston will become a Baltimore or Miami type team think again.
LOL
“So for those out there that think Boston will become a Baltimore or Miami think again.”
I thought about it again but still think The Red Sox are going to become the Orioles if this extreme conservatism keeps up.
Bruh it’s been like three months of “extreme conservatism”. I think you can pump the breaks a smidge
Dude, What?
Bloom is just doing his mandated job, but in doing so, he’s losing Fenway fans by the ton. He had better be allowed to make a significant trade or acquisition or his name is Mudd.
I’m not sure why you are seemingly so impatient?
The Red Sox have won 4 WS in the last 20 years.
And they still have John Henry at the helm.
Can they win it every year? No.
But who can?
All you can ask is that a team be competitive and strive to win.
How would you like to be a Miami fan and lose Stanton, Yelich or Ozuna?
Fortunately we have an owner that can put more skin in the game.
So why shouldn’t John Henry want to be thrifty and logical?
When you see Boston having the highest payroll in baseball in 2019.
And all 10 teams that made the playoffs have a “lower” payroll.
And 2 or the teams Tampa and Oakland have a payroll 1/3 or less of Boston’s.
If you owned the team wouldn’t you want to get the job done?
And wouldn’t you feel angry that you spent all that money and went nowhere?
So I ask again, why shouldn’t John Henry want to be thrifty and logical?
And why should the fans be so concerned?
Thank God you’re not an Oriole or Marlins fan and let John Henry do his thing.
And yes, please keep the suggestions coming.
Because that’s why they put erasers on pencils.
And two heads are better than one.
And possible a truly good idea from someone on this website may get seen at the top.
So keep the ideas flowing.
There are a lot of really smart people that comment on this site.
And I love the desire to win.
AND TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS.
OR I WOULDN’T WASTE MY TIME.
I am assuming the current John Henry/Chaim Bloom Era would not last long. Henry just wants to get under the CBT cap this year so it resets back to the lowest threshold. Every year you are over the $208 million threshold you pay a higher penalty.
Agreed Dlevin. Problem is Bllom’s Tampa style of play will not sit well in New England. People go to games and spend big money at Fenway, going out to dinner before a game, merchandise sales and of course through TV and radio. The boring style Tampa uses to win just won’t cut it. People will leave the park early and not watch or listen as much. That will end up being more costly if it happens.
“The boring style Tampa uses to win”?
What’s boring about winning?
Would you prefer an “entertaining way to lose”?
@SG – how many fans go to see that TB style of “winning”? How often has TB won a WS?
Um … Maybe
What’s that got to do with Boston vs. Tampa? With all due respect?
Tampa fans don’t care as much as Boston fans.
And I suspect that’s why John Henry owns Boston and not Tampa.
Boston fan care even if they finish 4th.
That’s why Boston will likely win more than Tampa in the long run.
I’m saying if Tampa can win more than Boston then why can’t Boston see how they did it?
Why can’t they emulate it?
Is that unreasonable?
They have more money.
They have a fan base that cares about winning more.
Why can’t Boston fan see that they can be better if they emulate Tampa and Oakland in some ways?
It is when you factor in 3 things:
1) boston fans love getting an attachment to players they root for through their careers. A revolving door where everyone is out every 3-4 seasons doesn’t cut it. Thats how TB gets all those prospects to fuel their system though.
2) boston fans aren’t interested in finishing #2, 3, 4 every year in and out, never winning the pennant and NOT winning the world series. TB MODEL HAS NOT PRODUCED WS WINNING TEAMS. EVER.
3) as said elsewhere, a fenway excursion is an expensive and large undertaking. You expect something more for your money than what TB puts on the field. With what boston costs, you don’t sign a series of AAAA players and hope to find a trade chip. No thanks, not interested in watching that – thats what your farm teams are for.
.223 career batting average? Thrown out 7 of 52 would-be base stealers career? Hey, I’m sold. Should have kept Leon.
Yes I hated to see Leon go.
But Bloom is just trying to earn his pay and save money.
Sandy’s worth was in his defensive and game management abilities.
Something harder to measure.
So how many millions did bloom save by trading leon? 3?
And what did he spend on replacement (s)? About 2, 2.5?
And how much worse off are the pitching staff without leon?
This wasn’t a move that saved 10m or got the club closer to the cbt limit. Letting leon go was a downgrade with the near minimum savings reinvested in some dumpster diving for garbage players at the expense of wins now.
I REALLY REALLY think the Paw Sox can win it this year!!!
LOL
There’s a chance … We can all dance I’m the old Apex parking lot!
How does a minor nothing signing have 30+ comments?
It’s one of Blooms biggest moves all year.
One of?
There’s a chance … We can all dance I’m the old Apex parking lot!
To AllSoxFan
There is no guarantee that spending money wins you a WS.
You can watch or you can quit because they don’t spend money and lose if they do spend money and lose.
I prefer to win or at least be competitive and that’s why I prefer to adapt to a strategy that wins rather than one that appeals to a fan bast that loses.
Please explain to me how Tampa wins more than Boston with a team at 1/3 of the payroll and Boston can’t match that with more money?