The Red Sox have some big decisions to make in free agency, but building strength in the minor leagues should not be overlooked. Anything can happen throughout the course of a season, and having talent in the minor leagues to call upon is important.
The Red Sox lost a minor league catcher on Thursday when Chadwick Tromp elected free agency from the organization, according to his transaction log on MLB.com. Tromp spent time in the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves organizations last season as well.
Tromp has appeared in six big league seasons, but has never played more than 25 games in a year. He has spent most of his career in the minor leagues, being used as an injury replacement or depth piece. The 30-year-old backstop played in eight games at the big league level last year.
He had three hits on the year, playing games for both the Braves and the Orioles. The Red Sox signed him to a minor league contract on July 26, after he elected free agency from the Orioles. The move came not long after Yasmani Grandal was placed on the restricted list.
In 28 games for Triple-A Worcester, he slashed .135/.183/.167 with eight RBIs. He did not have a great year, hitting just .190 overall in the minor leagues.
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Last season, the Red Sox had to call on Blake Sabol when Connor Wong was injured. Having a player like Tromp in the minor leagues, with big league experience, could have been great for the Red Sox in case they deal with injuries again.
Tromp will likely try to find a minor league deal with a new team that allows him to serve as immediate catching depth. He has a total of 172 at-bats in the big leagues with six career home runs.
