As of right now the Red Sox are counting on 25-year old switch hitting Jarrod Saltalamacchia as their starting catcher for 2011. This is a big risk as he has never lived up to his “potential”. He played in 12 games for the Red Sox & Rangers last season and he was 4 of 24 (.167 avg, .625 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs. Saltalamacchia also played in 72 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 68 of 274 (.248 avg) with 42 runs scored, 12 homers and 39 RBIs. The Red Sox don’t really need a lot of offense from Salty as long as he can play solid defense. He played in 7 games behind the plate last season for the Red Sox & Rangers in which he made 1 error but had 0 passed balls. He threw out 1 of 7 (14.3%) runners trying to steal on him in the majors last season and pitchers had a 4.27 ERA with him behind the plate. I’m not a big fan of Saltalamacchia as he has been a big time underachiever to this point in his career.

38-year old switch hitting Jason Varitek will back up Saltalamacchia in 2011. He played in 39 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 26 of 112 (.232 avg, .766 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 7 homers and 16 RBIs. Varitek proved he still has power in his bat last season but he also whiffed 35 times which is way too many. Varitek didn’t make any errors in 39 games behind the plate for the Red Sox last season and he only had 1 passed ball. Pitchers had a 4.05 ERA with Varitek behind the dish so he can still call a game and catch the ball, but, he can’t really throw anymore. Varitek only threw out 8 of 43 (18.6%) runners trying to steal on him last season. Varitek doesn’t appear to have a lot left in the tank so the Red Sox hope Saltalamacchia stays healthy and productive in 2011.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RED SOX CATCHERS IN 2011: D+

The Boston Red Sox have designated 28-year old righty starter/reliever Matt Fox for assignment. Fox pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox last season and he was 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP. He pitched in 4 games (1 start) overall last season for the Twins & Red Sox in which he was 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fox also pitched in 35 games (21 starts) in AAA-ball last year in which he was 6-9 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Red Sox won’t sweat it out if they lose Fox.

UPDATE: (1/14/2011) - The Red Sox have released Matt Fox.

UPDATE II: (1/27/2011) - The Red Sox have re-signed Matt Fox to a minor league deal.

The Boston Red Sox have signed 29-year old righty reliever Tony Pena Jr. to a minor league deal. Pena pitched in 53 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last season and he was 3-2 with 6 saves, a 4.13 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Pena pitched pretty well last season in only his second year as a pitcher after playing 4 years in the majors as a shortstop with the Royals. Pena has now pitched in 63 games (3 starts) in his first two years in the minors as a pitcher and he is 4-4 with 6 saves, a 3.76 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Pena did throw one scoreless inning in his only appearance as a pitcher with the Royals in 2008. Pena will likely start the year in AAA and get a call to Boston if he gets off to a good start.

The Red Sox have claimed 26-year old righty swinging catcher Max Ramirez off waivers from the Rangers. Ramirez played in 28 games for the Rangers last season and he was 15 of 69 (.217 avg, .689 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. He has now played in 45 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 25 of 115 (.217 avg, .699 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers and 17 RBIs. This addition comes to little surprise as the Red Sox almost acquired Ramirez from the Rangers in a deal for Mike Lowell last season. Ramirez will likely be #3 on the Red Sox’ depth chart at catcher behind Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek when spring training opens next month.

UPDATE: (1/10/2011) - The Red Sox have lost Max Ramirez on waivers to the Cubs.

The Red Sox have signed 30-year old righty swinging infielder Hector Luna to a minor league deal. Luna played in 27 games for the Florida Marlins last season and he was 4 of 29 (.138 avg) with 2 runs scored, 2 homers and 4 RBIs. He has now played in 311 games in parts of six years in the majors and he is 194 of 732 (.265 avg, .705 OPS) with 99 runs scored, 13 homers, 86 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. Luna will get a shot next spring to make the Red Sox’ roster as a utility man but chances are that they will stash him in AAA when the 2011 season starts.