Red Sox sign catcher Jonathan Lucroy

The latest Red Sox minor league signing and interim manager Ron Roenicke will require no introduction.

Boston officially announced the addition of catcher Jonathan Lucroy on Wednesday afternoon. The 33-year-old received a one-year deal and, per WEEI.com, will earn $1.5 million should he leave spring training on the 26-man roster.

Lucroy worked out with the Red Sox earlier in the day but declined comment prior to the deal becoming finalized. Roenicke managed the Brewers [...]

The latest Red Sox minor league signing and interim manager Ron Roenicke will require no introduction.

Boston officially announced the addition of catcher Jonathan Lucroy on Wednesday afternoon. The 33-year-old received a one-year deal and, per WEEI.com, will earn $1.5 million should he leave spring training on the 26-man roster.

Lucroy worked out with the Red Sox earlier in the day but declined comment prior to the deal becoming finalized. Roenicke managed the Brewers from 2011-15, winning 96 games and reaching the National League Championship Series during his debut season. Lucroy enjoyed his best days as a player with Milwaukee, earning a pair of N.L. All-Star selections in 2014 and 2016.

Lucroy split time with the Angels and Cubs last season, and Boston could be the seventh major league club for which he's played. His career spans 1,202 games and has been largely defined by offensive production. Lucroy has slashed .274/.335/.416 with 216 doubles and 108 home runs.

The end of Lucroy's time with the Brewers coincided with what has been a steady dip in offensive production. He was traded to the Rangers in August 2016 as the centerpiece of a five-man deal. Lucroy posted an OPS of .716, .617 and .660 in the following three seasons.

The Red Sox now have seven catchers in camp, with Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki representing the 40-man roster. Vazquez enjoyed a career year in 2019 while Plawecki signed a one-year deal to join Boston from the Mets. Lucroy, Juan Centeno, Roldani Baldwin, Jett Bandy and Dodgers trade acquisition Connor Wong represent other Red Sox options at the position.

Vazquez made 119 appearances at catcher last season, clubbing 26 doubles and 23 home runs. Sandy Leon played in 65 games behind the plate and was traded to the Indians earlier in the offseason for minor league right-hander Adenys Bautista. Blake Swihart appeared at catcher in eight games before being designated for assignment and Centeno logged just five.

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