BREAKING: Red Sox solve Will Middlebrooks dilemma

(AP)

Eric D. Schabell
Contributing Writer

It looks like the Red Sox have finally found a use for Will Middlebrooks, as a trade chip for a back up catcher.

Since the Pablo Sandoval signing there were questions as to what to do with Middlebrooks who has been hampered by a lack of power, has problems staying healthy and was refused to head to winter ball when the Red Sox asked.

Rob Bradford states that the deal is in place, with Middlebrooks heading to the Padres for Ryan Hanigan. That is a back up catcher they acquired in an earlier trade set from the Rays.

Hanigan is a bit of a pricey catcher, with two more years at around $8 million dollars owed on his contract. At 34 years of age, he is an excellent defensive catcher coming off a season in which he batted just .218/.318/.324 in his first season with the Rays.

He could pair well behind the plate with Christian Vazquez.

As Pete Abraham points out, this deal is done when the physical is passed and that is not a sure thing.

At 26 years old, Middlebrooks was once one of the top prospects in the Red Sox organization, but he’s yet to replicate the .288/.325/.509 batting line he put together in his rookie season of 2012.

Since that time, Middlebrooks has dealt with injuries and a rapidly rising strikeout rate, both of which have contributed to a paltry .213/.265/.364 batting line from 2013-14.

Seems that Red Sox Nation was more worried about getting back our on field reporter than losing Middlebrooks.

Nothing like a sense of humor in trying times.

Post a comment or via twitter @erics_redsox with your thoughts.

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