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 he could be a great manager. I’d hire him with a rebuilding team to find out if I was right.
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.