The Red Sox are in agreement with free agent backstop Jorge Alfaro on a minor league contract, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive (Twitter link). He’ll receive a $2MM base salary if he cracks the MLB roster and would have the ability to opt out and return to free agency on both June 1 and July 1 if he hasn’t yet been called up.
Alfaro, 29, has played in each of the last seven big league campaigns. A top prospect in the Rangers’ and Phillies’ farm systems, he went from Texas to Philadelphia in the Cole Hamels deadline blockbuster in 2015. Alfaro debuted with Philadelphia in 2016 and would spend parts of the following two seasons as their primary catcher. He flashed the massive power and arm strength that had made him such a highly-regarded minor league talent but struck out in 35.2% of his plate appearances as a Phillie.
After the 2018 season, Philadelphia packaged him with Sixto Sánchez to the division-rival Marlins for J.T. Realmuto. Miami had hoped Alfaro would step in as a big league ready replacement for their outgoing star catcher. Alfaro was their primary catcher for the next three seasons but continued to perform at an inconsistent level, largely thanks to his strikeout issues.
The Padres took a shot on the Colombian-born player in a minor trade last offseason. Alfaro cracked the Opening Day roster after a massive Spring Training and went on to appear in just over half the team’s games. He tallied 274 plate appearances, hitting .246/.285/.383 with seven home runs and a 35.8% strikeout percentage. At season’s end, San Diego non-tendered him rather than retain him for a projected $3.6MM arbitration salary.
In a little under 500 MLB games, Alfaro is a .256/.305/.396 hitter. He’s picked up 47 homers and made plenty of hard contact. His on-base numbers have been muted by his subpar strikeout and walk profile, though, as he’s drawn free passes 4.2% of the time while fanning in over 34% of his trips. It’s been a somewhat similar boom or bust profile defensively. Alfaro has a top-tier throwing arm and has cut down a solid 27.5% of attempted basestealers throughout his career. Yet he’s also rated as a below-average pitch framer and overall receiver, per the metrics at Statcast and Baseball Prospectus.
While Alfaro’s overall body of work has been up and down, he represents a low-risk upside play for a Boston club that has an uncertain catching mix. Reese McGuire and Connor Wong currently look set for a loose platoon arrangement behind the dish. They’re the only backstops on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, and neither has an extended track record as an MLB regular. Alfaro’s an experienced depth option who can battle for a job in Spring Training and/or start the season at Triple-A Worcester as injury insurance.
Alfaro has over five years of major league service time, meaning he can’t be optioned to the minor leagues. If he cracks the MLB roster at any point, Boston will either have to keep him in the majors or make him available to other clubs via trade or waivers. If Alfaro spends 89 days on the MLB active roster or injured list next season, he’d surpass the six-year service threshold and qualify for free agency next offseason. If he’s on the roster for 88 days or fewer overall but on the 40-man at season’s end, he’d be eligible for arbitration for the 2024 campaign.
Thomar
Whipee. Still a last place team
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Yep. They are trying to become the Boston Rangers. Suspicion confirmed! What a disappointment of a prospect, though
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
Could be a lot worse though, could be a triple a flameout. Or cristian pache remember when he was a top 10 prospect? Lol
kingken67
Oh FFS it’s a minor league depth signing. Every f-ing team does them.
YankeesBleacherCreature
If ya quit buying into the hype, that may spare ya some disappointment.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
At least the guy has a track record, some seasoning under his cleats, and not some random noob.
kmk1986
Ya a track record of being below mediocre but the sad part is he’s better than the trash catching duo we got now
BuJoBi
It’s a great signing considering it’s a minor league deal. I don’t think many teams want to be like the rangers.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
It’s a joke. So many of these former Rangers do well, though, because they have real development staff. The Rangers turn top prospects into failures. Other teams try and occasionally succeed.
GASoxFan
But bloom WANTS to be the rangers.
He’s jealous of their draft slot.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
highlyclutch.com/padres-catcher-jorge-alfaro-nsfw-…
This guy is entertaining.!
fre5hwind
“Let’s F***ing go San Diego!”
holecamels35
I thought he would have been signed sooner since catcher is a pretty weak position throughout the league. I don’t know a lot about him, but his battling line is decent for a catcher but his defense must be very bad since it took him so long to get a deal?
TJECK109
Bad pitch framing and defense is the last thing you want on a minor league team trying to develop pitchers
Ketch
Really? You want to develop pitchers who rely on the catcher?
YankeesBleacherCreature
They both come hand-in-hand if a team is trying to develop players to feed confidence off one another.
Salvi
Red Sox arent bringing him in to “develop pitchers”. They are loaded with young catchers all through the system and have 3 in Worcester (Cottam, Hernandez and Hamilton).
I doubt he plays more than a handful of games behind the plate.
holecamels35
He’s the best catcher on their roster.
stymeedone
He signed with someone before Gary Sanchez. Tells you everything you need to know about Gary Sanchez’ ability as a C.
GASoxFan
Or Gary’s expectations. This is just a milb deal. Not a good pickup, just money being dumped on fringe aaaa players.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Or holding out for a guaranteed deal. Sanchez isn’t signing for an invite to make $2M.
kmk1986
Gary should be straight dh but now he can’t hit so not sure what he can do
kmk1986
He’s not good your intuition was correct
bobsugar84
He’ll start against LHP.
SODOMOJO
Minor league deal? Sheesh. Seems way too talented for that. I know his numbers aren’t great, it is what it is. But he’s got a cannon back there, some good power and is a good all around athlete.
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
I was thinking the same
trog
+1. It’s a good fit for him, because he can run away with the starting job with a strong spring, but I’m surprised his agent couldn’t get him a ML deal. I think we will be getting to roboumps strike zones by the 2024 season, so I see the pitch framing as an art that will be less valued. If he can hit and throw out runners, he’ll continue to find a home.
YankeesBleacherCreature
At the least, the ability to challenge calls in ’24 before full implementation. I think it’s helpful to allow players time to adjust to roboumps.
GASoxFan
Even with roboumps you need gamecalling skills, something he sorely lacks.
The only saving grace for him is the lack of good young catching prospects in the game compared to positions open.
Desperate teams that aren’t contenders will continue to look for retreads not much more expensive than league minimum to roll out there and be a warm body at the position. That’s about all he is good for.
GASoxFan
Problem is, plenty of guys have great power but monstrous strikeout rates, and, his pitch framing and game calling stink.
You could shove any poor 1B back there and get the same talent level.
Occams_hairbrush
Hahaha.
No, you definitely could not.
YankeesBleacherCreature
DFA’d Hosmer too soon!
SODOMOJO
I think his ceiling is still much higher than his numbers have shown. But, I am not keen to his reputation around the league as a game manager and framer; must be pretty bad to have a minor league deal with his obvious offensive potential. Didn’t they put him in left at times in SD?
SODOMOJO
Check that: SD played musical chairs with he and Nola. Alfaro only ever played LF for MIA
avenger65
The Sox should have taken Vazquez up on his offer to return to the team. Looks from here like it would have saved the Sox a lot of maneuvering.
kmk1986
Here u r defending a guy and u never watched him play people r tellin u he stinks and obviously the mlb thought he wasn’t good enough for the majors and here u r still praising this mediocre player
SODOMOJO
@kmk1986, my man. I watch baseball every single day during the season. I have seen Alfaro play maybe close to a hundred or so times, just as a conservative, cynical estimate.
It is ok that you disagree with my surprise at his minor league deal. Just, you know, recognize that there are some of the biggest baseball fans in the world lurking here, man. We know our stuff
kmk1986
His ceiling what r u talking about u must be his agent the guy never had a ceiling
Occams_hairbrush
I would imagine Wong will start the year in Worcester.
kmk1986
I hope wong gets dfaed he’s trash
kmk1986
U can have him then obviously the league sees something in him your not seeing he’s not good
Jimbo_Jones
For a catcher his offensive is pretty decent. Where he struggles is his ability to run / call the game at a high level. Great guy tho and his hits when he gets them are clutch 5 walk offs last season
fre5hwind
Kind of surprised it was a Minor League Deal.
Hired Gun 23
He leaves behind the the chant, “Let’s F’n Go SD!” Good luck in Boston, Alfaro!
MLB-1971
The Red Sox only have two catchers on the 40-man roster, and the is no catching depth in AAA with much of any MLB experience. This is AAA depth, and unless there is an injury to McGuire or Wong, he is AAA who will opt-out and be gone from the organization by June 1 or July 1.
(So save the ‘duck boat’ and ‘World Series’ comments as he is AAA depth which ALL organizations need).
MLB-1971
From the picture it looks like a lot of hair and beard….must be damn hot under the catchers mask and protective gear….
Bart Harley Jarvis
I thought he was in witness protection when I saw the hair and beard.
aquinothegoat44
Reese McGuire hits righties much better than lefties ( although his stats vs righties still aren’t great. Alfaro hits both L and R well. Seems to me like McGuire will play vs righties. Alfaro will play vs lefties. McGuire should not play DH at all. Alfaro will likely be a pretty good platoon. Connor Wong will move to bench bat.
MLB-1971
Alfaro will need to be added to the 40-man roster! Who will the Red Sox DFA….maybe Brasier, lol, then many of you can jump for joy. Lol
Ketch
It’s a minor league deal, which means he doesn’t need to be added to the 40 man roster.
Salvi
Can’t believe people still dont know how ‘minor league FA signings’ work.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Whats a backstop? A shortstop who faces towards the Green Monsta?
damascusj
I really liked alfaro in SD, dude had a ton of clutch hits, and was absolutely LOVED by the fans.
I hope he does well in Boston.
zeuz1
Alfaro was so damn good in SD and loved so much by the fans that the Padres decided to cut him.
roiste
Teams don’t make decisions based on who fans like. Alfaro is a fun personality who came up clutch in a couple spots, so SD fans like him. No one’s saying he was “so damn good”.
kmk1986
Or maybe he’s not good plz sandiego take him back since u guys love him so much
aquinothegoat44
Doesn’t say that he received an invite to spring training but I would be surprised if that was the case. Jorge seems like a good pickup for the Sox but I hope that they platoon him like I talked about in my last comment. Health is always a concern as well.
LosPobres1904
Fan favorite good clubhouse guy
roiste
People are gonna snark because the Red Sox are an easy target, but this is a great pickup on a minor league deal.
kmk1986
U losers say that about every mediocre signing. “ o what a great signing I bet on every thread u guys say that about every Joe schmo
BuJoBi
It’s a depth signing. You are on every comment just trashing him like he stole your lunch. Newsflash not everyone is a Allstar, 162 game season depth is important. Question…. who would you have liked them to sign since you seem to think you are so intelligent and know what every team should do from your couch?
JoeBrady
kmk is a bit far afield. I get commenting that you like/dislike a move. But 20-30 comment on the same minor league depth move is a bit OCD-ish.
rhswanzey
Great signing. I was hoping for Zunino coming into the offseason, but that wasn’t happening unless he was pretty clearly going to be starting. They needed another RH option in the mix in case Wong isn’t working out. Unlike the failed Swihart experiments, Wong can actually help out in the infield, so you could also see scenarios where injuries or performance allow for carrying all three catchers.
User 3595123227
Hard to believe that Cole Hamels trade was 5 years ago. Time flies.
LosPobres1904
Good lucky my Bear! We love you in SD
Rsox
McGuire for defense and Alfaro for offense. Probably was a better move to be made but at least its something
muddust
take that Padres!
juanc-2
Bloom finally makes a big move!
Occams_hairbrush
Very clever.
GASoxFan
Metamucil would also give bloom a big move in a way that didn’t tie up red sox resources if that was all he was after.
iwamtmy2dollars
I thought he might end up in Detroit to split time with Haase. Best of luck to Alfaro.
PaulyMidwest
Sad when the best catcher they got is on a minor league deal. At least offensively the best. He should win the job or at least most of the starts cuz he is a notoriously fast starter..He will mash in ST and Wong will be in AAA. IMO
kmk1986
He will mash in spring training??? What does that matter anyways and I doubt he will mash
PaulyMidwest
Because he often does..by the way I was a huge ink fan and worked for the as a triple crown street steamer in indiana. Met them a cpl times..cool dudes.
Goose
With the guys the Red Sox are signing I am fully expecting my name to show up on MLB Trade Rumors in the next few weeks.
Why did they raise the ticket prices this year again?
YankeesBleacherCreature
To pay your salary! Bc they can and fans are willing to pay the increase. Admittedly, I’m one of them whenever I visit Boston – I like Fenway Park.
GASoxFan
A couple of us have made observations based on a lifetime of experiences that sox ticket sales have figuratively fallen off a cliff compared to prior years, even after prior down campaigns.
In a ‘normal’ offseason, packages the sox offered in November, December, for the upcoming year would’ve long since been sold out or at least down to a handful of single stand-alone tickets. This year widespread availability remains.
So, I do think some sizeable portion of the fan base is fed up for the time being and refuses to waste money to watch the red sox mail it in with rehab buy-and-flip players to collect yet more fringe prospects in return, and, don’t find a lot of entertainment in watching a losing team
HalosHeavenJJ
Was really hoping to land him.
kmk1986
Said no angels fans besides u
Crunchtime1969
Four walk offs last year. Got some serious pop and good arm. Fun to watch. He’ll crack the opening day lineup for Boston. 2 million is a bargain
kmk1986
Oooooh 4 walk off then he must be guaranteed to do it again. What a selling point
JoeBrady
Like others have mentioned, I’m surprised Alfaro couldn’t land a pro deal. I’m fine with McGuire & Wong, as a minimum wage gamble. But Alfaro is real good insurance if Wong stumbles.
Occams_hairbrush
Wong still has options while Alfaro can opt out.
I am thinking the other way around.
rhswanzey
But the first opt out isn’t until June 1. They don’t have to make a decision on him in spring training. That’s a big advantage. He may break camp with the team anyway, but if it were an Apr 1 opt out, yeah, it’d be extremely difficult for Wong to win a roster spot.
JoeBrady
That’s my thinking as well. I don’t have a lot of faith in Wong, but I’d like to give him the opportunity to win the short side of the platoon. At his age, we won’t learn much from additional AAA ABs.
baseballteam
Disgusting look.
thecrocusesareinbloom
Probably the most important depth signing the Sox have made all winter. I like it!
kmk1986
Really because starting pitching isn’t more important than a garbage catcher
BuJoBi
Every comment someone’s makes you trash it. We all get it, you don’t like the signing. Also stop liking your own posts it’s pretty sad.
thecrocusesareinbloom
Just because a signing doesn’t fix every hole on a roster doesn’t automatically make it dumb, bad, and stupid. Besides, that’s not what I said; what I said was that, of the depth signings they’ve made, this one seems the most impactful. Which means we agree, actually, that they haven’t made any impactful depth signings on the pitching front. Reading comprehension! It’s fun!
James Midway
He had a good number of walk offs last year
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
I don’t understand fans’ passion and zeal with which they hate other teams. What happened to cheering for teams you like instead of rooting against teams you dislike?
brucenewton
He’ll win the job and hit .280
jespinal
He is tearing it up in Winter League Dominican baseball. This is a great signing for the Red Sox.
madmc44
Small price to pay for a catcher with ML experience.
It will buy a little more time for Wong. Sounds like he did a good job for SD. The evaluators in the system need time to see who’s going to be in each minor league site post ST.
Datashark
Hitting wise Alfaro is good hitting Catcher, so is his defense behind plate that bad?
Ron Hayes
Only a minor league deal? Seemed good enough to replace JT. Can’t have fallen off that fast. Angels what up