The Boston Red Sox continue to fine-tune their roster this offseason, and while the big-ticket additions have focused on pitching and first base, they’re still working the margins - and that includes bringing back a familiar face.
On Wednesday, the Red Sox announced they’ve claimed catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Washington Nationals. It’s a low-profile move on the surface, but it adds another layer of depth to a team that’s still looking to shore up its infield, particularly at second base.
Gasper, 28, returns to Boston after a brief stint with the club in 2024. He didn’t make much of a splash that year - going hitless in 18 at-bats over 13 games - but his versatility behind the plate and around the infield gives the Sox a flexible option heading into Spring Training.
This past season, Gasper spent time with the Minnesota Twins, appearing in 45 games. The offensive numbers weren’t pretty - a .158 average and a .489 OPS over 95 at-bats - but that’s not necessarily why teams keep giving him looks. He’s a switch-hitter who can catch and play multiple infield positions, and in today’s game, that kind of utility matters, especially when injuries and roster crunches inevitably hit.
His journey has been anything but linear. Originally signed by the Yankees in 2018, Gasper worked his way through the minors before landing with the Red Sox organization in late 2023. He made his Major League debut in 2024, then bounced to Minnesota, then Washington - and now, back to Boston.
The Nationals had picked him up off waivers earlier this offseason after the Twins let him go, but his time in D.C. was short-lived. Now, with the Red Sox 40-man roster sitting at 39, Gasper gets another shot to prove he can stick.
This isn’t the kind of move that grabs headlines, but it’s a classic example of a front office doing its homework. Gasper might not be penciled into the Opening Day lineup, but he’ll get his reps in Fort Myers, and if he shows something - whether it’s behind the plate, at second, or just as a steady clubhouse presence - he could earn a longer look.
The Red Sox still have work to do, especially if they want to lock down a reliable second baseman before Opening Day. But in the meantime, bringing back a player like Gasper gives them another option to evaluate - and in a long season, depth is never a bad thing.