Report: Red Sox Keeping Eye on Rockies Catcher Chris Iannetta

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May 21, 2010

The Red Sox have taken a look at Chris Iannetta as a possible solution at catcher, reports The Denver Post.

But the Rockies have not made the backstop available just yet.

Iannetta signed a three-year, $8.35 million deal following 2009 when he had a strong season and seemed entrenched as the Rockies' catcher of the future. While his .228 batting average wasn't impressive, he had a strong .360 on-base percentage with a .460 slugging percentage over 93 games. This was coming off a season where he appeared in 104 games, hitting .264/390/.505.

However, the Rockies imported Miguel Olivo for 2010 and began a timeshare behind the dish, an adjustment Iannetta struggled to make. After hitting just .133 through eight games, the right-hander was quickly ushered off to Triple-A Colorado Springs. At that level, he has an incredible 1.191 on-base plus slugging percentage mark. Coupled with throwing out 7-of-13 baserunners, and it's clear he has nothing left to prove in the minors.

Yet, while Olivo was off to a hot start and has cooled down, Iannetta remains stuck in the minors.

To hear the Red Sox are interested in Iannetta is unsurprising. Virtually every team — with the possible exception of the Minnesota Twins — would love to have the Providence, R.I., native as a backstop.

Colorado has brushed back all calls regarding Iannetta's availability, as they should. A club with long-term money tied up in Iannetta would be well-served to explore what he can do for the big league team before sending him out.

Trading one of baseball's most precious commodities — a young catcher who has proven he can produce at the major league level — is foolhardy when a team's current starter is on a one-year deal at age 31 and will be 32 by season's end.

If the Rockies suddenly decide it's in their best interest to deal away Iannetta, you can expect the Red Sox to be right in the thick of the bidding. Just don't bet on it.

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