CINCINNATI, OHIO – MAY 25: Andrew Knizner #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals walks across the field in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 25, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox are enjoying a historic turnaround in the standings with a playoff spot firmly in reach, but the emergence of some key roster pieces in this stretch has also meant the departure of others.
After a veteran backstop joined the team in late June with his sights set on a big-league role, he has decided to take his career elsewhere as the Red Sox have come to rely on a catcher pair that has helped the team drive its winning streak. And that could soon push the player to a rival organization.
Boston Red Sox Backstop Cuts Ties With Team Amid Surge At The Plate
Andrew Knizner’s time with Boston lasted less than two months, as the 31-year-old made a strong case for another major league opportunity that evidently won’t come in Boston.
“Catcher Andrew Knizner exercised his out clause in his Red Sox deal and is a free agent,” the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported on X. “Hit .316/.426/.494/.920 at Triple-A Worcester.”
That production represents a significant turnaround for Knizner, who had joined Boston shortly after being released by the Colorado Rockies in June. But with the Red Sox evidently set on their major-league catching options, Knizner is looking elsewhere.
“Knizner joined the Red Sox organization on June 23 after being released by the Rockies a few days prior,” Collin Ward wrote for the Post. “Though he signed a minor league contract with Boston, Knizner likely expected a chance to reach the big leagues before fellow Red Sox catchers Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong established themselves at the position.”
Instead, Knizner remained in the minors and used his opportunity to rebuild his value. His .316 average and .920 OPS at Worcester now give him leverage to seek a better opportunity and Boston’s biggest historic rival seems like a likely landing spot.
New York Yankees Could Be Landing Spot For Boston Red Sox Castoff
The timing of Knizner’s departure is particularly interesting because the Yankees were unable to address their catching needs before the trade deadline.
New York was linked to several options, particularly right-handed hitters. But the organization ultimately failed to land a new backstop, leaving it to explore alternative solutions for the stretch run.
“One of the teams that logically could be interested in Knizner’s services is the Yankees,” Ward reported. “The Bronx Bombers attempted to acquire a right-handed talent at catcher before the trade deadline, but struck out after the Twins decided not to sell Ryan Jeffers and the Red Sox landed (Adley) Rutschman, even after the Yankees talked with the (Baltimore) Orioles about the latter.”
Knizner would not represent the kind of blockbuster addition that New York sought at the deadline, but his recent production could make him an intriguing depth option.
The Yankees also have to determine whether his offensive resurgence is sustainable, particularly after his difficult stint with Colorado. Still, a catcher who can provide right-handed depth and arrives with a .920 OPS over his latest Triple-A sample could be worth investigating.