The Boston Red Sox have traded catcher Blake Swihart and international bonus pool money to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league outfielder Marcus Wilson, it was announced today. This puts an end to the dreams harbored by some Rangers fans that Texas would acquire the 27 year old switch hitting catcher who they had expressed interest in in the past.
Swihart was a first round pick in 2011 by Boston, but hasn’t hit above AA and isn’t considered a good defensive catcher. Nevertheless, Boston stuck it out with him even when he was out of options, and tried him at first base and the outfield as well as behind the plate, hoping there was upside they could tap into.