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The Boston Red Sox have traded catcher Blake Swihart and international bonus pool money to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league outfielder Marcus Wilson, it was announced today. This puts an end to the dreams harbored by some Rangers fans that Texas would acquire the 27 year old switch hitting catcher who they had expressed interest in in the past.
Swihart was a first round pick in 2011 by Boston, but hasn’t hit above AA and isn’t considered a good defensive catcher. Nevertheless, Boston stuck it out with him even when he was out of options, and tried him at first base and the outfield as well as behind the plate, hoping there was upside they could tap into. After their slow start this year, however, Boston apparently decided it was time to move on, and they designated him for assignment so they could bring Sandy Leon back.
Wilson, 22, was a second round pick of the D-Backs in 2014 as a toolsy high school outfielder who would need time to develop. He had a break out 2017 campaign in low-A, but struggled in 2018 in the Cal League. He’s ranked #20 on the MLB Pipeline D-Backs list.
With Swihart dealt, we will have to find some other fringe out of options guy to obsess about possibly landing.