Red Sox Promote Catcher Ryan Lavarnway to Pawtucket After Trading Mike McKenry to Pirates
Heading into the 2011 season, one of the major question marks for the Red Sox was the status of the catching position. The Sox proved Monday that they are now a bit more comfortable with their catching depth, trading Triple-A catcher Mike McKenry to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.
McKenry was acquired from Colorado on March 29. The 26-year-old was seen as insurance in case Jason Varitek or Jarrod Saltalamacchia struggled or got hurt. After struggling early, Boston catchers combined to bat .269 with 6 home runs and 16 RBIs in May, and have continued to perform well in June — which made McKenry expendable.
The play of top catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway likely also had a hand in the trade. The 23-year-old was promoted to Pawtucket after hitting .284 with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs at Double-A Portland.
McKenry was batting .274 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and 10 runs in 29 games for Pawtucket. The catcher made his major league debut last September with the Rockies, appearing in six games.
