The Red Sox released catcher Yasmani Grandal earlier this month, reports Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Grandal stepped away from the organization back in June. There’s been no word regarding a potential retirement.
Grandal joined Boston on a minor league deal in April. He played in 23 games at Triple-A, posting a solid 110 wRC+ with his typically strong plate discipline (15 strikeouts to 13 walks). Grandal last suited up for Worcester on June 1, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Manager Chad Tracy told MassLive’s Katie Morrison-O’Day that he talked to Grandal the next day about his future. “I knew he was going to pack up and go…his response was ‘it’s time to be dad.’”
Grandal was placed on the restricted list on June 4. Tracy was complimentary of the veteran’s time with the team. “He didn’t isolate himself, he was right in the middle of everything teaching young guys,” Tracy said. “It was great.”
The 37-year-old last appeared in the big leagues in 2024 with Pittsburgh. He played in 72 games with the Pirates, slashing a respectable .228/.304/.400. He hit nine home runs in his only year with the club.
Grandal has played for five different teams across 13 MLB seasons. He was taken by Cincinnati in the first round of the 2010 draft. The Reds shipped him to the Padres in the Mat Latos trade. He debuted with San Diego in 2012. Grandal was part of another significant trade in 2014, heading to the Dodgers in the Matt Kemp deal. He became one of the most productive backstops in the league with LA, hitting 73 home runs across three seasons. Grandal went to the Brewers as a free agent in 2019 and socked a career-high 28 home runs. He cashed in on that season by signing a four-year, $73MM deal with the White Sox.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images
If its the end of a career, hat’s off. Wish he could have stayed healthy. He was a fan favorite in Chicago and the story of him mentoring young players is for real. Did the same for Zack Collins when Zack was a college kid starting at the U, Grandal’s alma mater and the 2 met up when Yaz returned for off season workouts. Nice to hear stories of pros paying it forward
$115 million in the bank. More like, “it’s time to enjoy life.”
Not if he has a damn enterage!
Not to mention Ari getting his cut
I think the word you’re looking for is Entourage.
I stand corrected…way off!
He wasn’t enjoying life before being a dad and professional athlete?
Anyone remember him with the Padres? It was a disaster.
He played okay. Had a 119 OPS+ and a 4.3 bWAR in only 657 ABs. The disaster was deciding that they needed the atrociously overpaid Kemp and gave up Grandal & Eflin to acquire him.
I think he could be a great manager. I’d hire him with a rebuilding team to find out if I was right.
I liked Yasmani’s tenure with the White Sox. Dude was a solid hitter, and that’s why he was signed in the first place, so nothing but good wishes on a fine career and enjoy retirement!
Solid hitter but mad OBP and elite framer. Couldn’t stay healthy, but there were stretches when he’d get hot and carry a team. That .420 obp and .939 OPS in the Sox ’21 division win was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, injuries robbed him in his peak
That 2021 White Sox team was so much fun to watch! So much hope for a good run where the next few seasons, they’d be playoff contenders. Sigh…
No F’n waaaaay dude.
Mercy
After July 4th he hit .299 with Pirates. If he could throw still he would had another few years in him. Skenes loved him. Probably still does. They even talked after he wasn’t a pirate I heard. Give Kelly a year and then bring in Grandpal to manage if need be. Knows the pirates young pitchers and catchers. English Spanish. I think the guy would be perfect.
And yet, he’ll always be remembered for lackadaisically lobbing a toss back to the pitcher with a runner on base, allowing that runner to move up. On two occasions
Yes. Great manager material. If Shelton was “Uncle Sheltie,” this guy will be Daddy Grandy.
Ole Passed Ball Grandal. Loved his power stroke but watching the ball get to the backstop at the most inopportune moments was maddening. Oh well, he can enjoy being dad now….
Got to the ballpark early and watched him run ball handling drills in the bullpen. So I guess the Dodgers thought he needed some work in that area too.
Breslow making moves!
He was completely taken out key and playoff games by the Dodgers because for a catcher, he just couldn’t catch, block balls, catch throws and make tags at home plate. The Astros trotted around in the playoffs series with the White Sox.
Until Benintendi, the richest contract in White Sox history. If he were on the other side of town would have been roasted like Jason Heyward was. Just a brutal contact for the White Sox at that time of Grandal’s career.
Omitted that 50 game suspension for ‘roids in 2012.
What’s the relevance?
Well for one thing it’s not telling the whole story by omitting this. It is part of his legacy, for better or worse.
I guess, it just seems like unless you’re a borderline HOF guy…what legacy? He didnt hurt anybody or like beat up a bus of old ladies, do we need to bring up his parking tickets too? Lol
well, he is a baseball player, who broke a baseball rule, so yeah I think that it is relevant, comparing that to the other things you brought up would be arbitrary on a baseball site. I think people should be reminded about cheaters in articles like this on a baseball forum, not being disingenuous..
Ok, I mean I see your argument but it feels like kinda silly moralizing tbh but agree to disagree
Wrong Chad Tracy.
What sour grapes from a guy who never did anything
“Lewinsky” enough said.
Age is doing what age does. Cheers to a very good career.
You’re a tool.
As a Pirate STH, was one of the most miserable players on the team. It was time to retire. A guy who was absolutely hating life. Hopefully he finds solace with his family.
Nats should sign him
Huh. I thought they had officially released him already.
He stepped away playing but worked with the young guys. I wonder if that means he’s going to try to get a job somewhere eventually as a coach, scout, or something front office where he wouldn’t have to travel much and stay close to his kid (kids?).
I definitley thought he’d find a job after 2024. He wasn’t outright horrible with the Pirates and did extremely well in the second half. Not that he didn’t have any problems behind the dish though, but there are far worse second string catchers out there.
Definitely could of competed with Wong for that 2nd spot in Boston I feel. I respect that family was calling though.
I just figured his contract would have expired at the end of the season but i guess because he was on the restricted list it didn’t? Kind of too bad we never got to see him make his way to Fenway last season but it wasn’t meant to be
I wish him the best