The Red Sox announced that they have claimed utility player Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Nationals. Washington designated him for assignment last week when they claimed Richard Lovelady. Boston had a couple of 40-man openings after trading Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to the White Sox a few days ago. This claim moves their count from 38 to 39.
It’s a bit of a homecoming for Gasper. He was originally drafted by the Yankees but Boston plucked him away in the minor league portion of the 2023 Rule 5 draft. Gasper spent 2024 with the Sox and got to make a brief major league debut but then was traded to the Twins going into the 2025 season. He got some more major league action with Minnesota in 2025 but was mostly a depth piece. He’s been riding the DFA carousel this winter, going to the Nats and now the Red Sox via waivers.
Gasper, 30, still hasn’t done much at the major league level. In his 133 plate appearances, he has a .133/.250/.195 line. He has shown far more potential in the minors, however. He has taken 412 Triple-A appearances over the past two years with 18 home runs, a 13.3% walk rate, 14.1% strikeout rate, a .325/.427/.560 line and 158 wRC+.
If Gasper could bring even a portion of that minor league offense up to the big leagues, that would be great. Even if that doesn’t happen, he provides loads of defensive versatility. He has experience behind the plate, at the three non-shortstop infield positions and in left field. He hits from both sides of the plate as well, adding an extra layer of flexibility.
Gasper still has options and could be kept in the minors as depth. It’s also possible to see him providing value in a bench role in the big leagues. The Sox have been on the hunt for more catching depth behind Carlos Narváez. They have a few question marks on the infield. Their outfield is very lefty heavy and Rob Refsnyder is no longer around as a righty-swinging complement.
Boston will probably still make another move or two, which could change the picture, and injuries will inevitably arise to shake things up. Gasper’s role will depend on how everything plays out in the coming weeks and months, if he sticks on the roster.
Photo courtesy of David Richard, Imagn Images
He’s back. Still vying for that elusive first hit at Fenway
It was getting torturous there for awhile. It was a relief he was sent elsewhere. NESN kept interviewing his poor parents in the crowd, it was like a funeral.
Being #39, he seems safe for the moment…
I hope his parents finally get to witness Gasper’s historic™ first hit in a Red Sox uniform. It was excruciating watching them root him on last time.
Dick – Doubtful, first Red Sox hit is not the same as first MLB hit ….. and his Dad is a Yankees fan anyway ;O)
Everything you wrote saddens me. But I hold out hope for “OB” saying “that’s Gasper’s first hit in a Red Sox uniform”. I live for those moments.
Oh yeah first Fenway hit? Psshh thats nothing. When did you get yours again? 😉
It was in MLB 9 Innings. Don’t remember when. Never got the ball back.
He’s back!
Who else immediately wonders if he is related to Rod Gasper?
No one knows who this is.
I know who he is, and when he’s on, Mickey can rake
He’s a famous landscaper?
that would be Gaspar
Since Rod Gaspar spelled his last name different, I’ll go out on a limb and say they are, in fact, not related.
(although if you go back far enough we are, eventually, all related. So in that sense, I guess he is?)
I sure hope the last 40 man spot goes to a 2B or 3B….
Joemo – like a real 2B or 3B……..
Welcome back Mickey!
Oh no you’re here too.
Yep! Unfortunately, that player is…IKF.
One day I’ll remember to be more specific in my wishes, one day.
This means Jovani Moran was completely free
That’s true. But also this happened because Jovani Moran is not very good
Well you get what you pay for…
Staring 2b on opening day.
Welcome back, Mickey!
He’s a very underrated hitter who has some pop and defensive versatility. Red Sox quad-A super-utility stud
Are you related or his agent?
Great username
Love the BB/K percentages. It’s great to have guys who don’t swing at everything and can work a count.
BR has one of his positions as Pinch Hitter, lol.
He doesn’t swing at everything because he can’t hit anything tbf
his minor league numbers say different. might not be able to make the transition or might not be successful playing once a week but that’s a different thing.
Why don’t we trade Mayer to StL for Wetherholt
Because Chaim says “no”.
Glad he’s back. I watched him homer at Portland a couple of summers ago.
Gasper and Matt Thaiss. Sox are loading up on offensively challenged Catchers to compete with their incumbent offensively challenged backup Catcher
I have been saying that the Sox could pick up Kee Kee Hernandez (recently released by the Dogers) to cover beautifully in both infield and outfield and work his magic in the clubhouse, probably at a reasonable price. Maybe younger is better. But this puts our rookie on third and I can live with that!
He probably would have had a better chance at playing time with Washington. Hope things work out for him, he’s a hometown hero.
With the number of players leaving spring training for the World Baseball Classic, we are seeing extra signings to fill the innings needed for the spring training games until the regular 40-man roster players return to camp. As I recall it happened the last time as well. It is a good opportunity for players to show case themselves as possible roster fits either with the team they are on or for minor league trades. Many of these signings (not Gasper specifically) will be let go when the regulars return as there may be too many players for the AAA max rosters.
4WS: Great point!