Red Sox sign veteran catcher Chris Herrmann to minors deal

The Red Sox have signed catcher/outfielder Chris Herrmann to a minor league deal earlier this week, according to Isaac of iTalk Studios.  MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo adds that the contract includes an invitation for Herrmann to attend Boston’s big league spring training camp.

Herrmann signed minor league deals with both the Rays and Giants in 2020 but didn’t see any MLB action with either team, ending his string of eight consecutive seasons in the Show.  Herrmann’s ability to both catch and play corner outfield positions (plus a few games at first base) has gotten him looks from several teams, and he has also had a couple of very productive years at the plate — most notably a .284/.352/.493 slash line over 166 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2016.

Overall, however, Herrmann has hit only .205/.282/.344 with 25 home runs over 992 career PA with the Twins, D’Backs, Mariners, and Athletics.  His last MLB stint was with Oakland in 2019, appearing in 30 games and hitting .202/.280/.274 in 94 PA.  Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki look set as Boston’s regular catching duo, so the 33-year-old Herrmann will be in camp to provide veteran depth and give Plawecki some competition as Vazquez’s backup.