A former starting catcher for the Boston Red Sox is set to compete for a return to the major leagues during Spring Training this season.
The Red Sox originally acquired Reese McGuire in a 2022 trade that sent reliever Jake Diekman to the Chicago White Sox. McGuire took over as the starting catcher for much of the second half of that season and went on to appear in 161 games for Boston over three years.
In July, however, McGuire was designated for assignment following the Red Sox’s trade for catcher Danny Jansen, who now plays for the Tampa Bay Rays. After clearing waivers, McGuire was sent to Triple-A for the remainder of the season before electing free agency.
On Wednesday, McGuire reportedly signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs, which includes an invitation to major league Spring Training. There, he will compete for a spot on the Cubs’ roster, though his chances appear uncertain. The signing was first reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball.
In 2024, McGuire struggled at the plate, slashing .209/.280/.295 for the Red Sox and losing most of his starts to Connor Wong before being let go. Over his seven-year career, McGuire has posted a .252/.300/.364 slash line while playing for three teams.
The 29-year-old catcher was a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2013 MLB Draft, selected 18 spots ahead of Aaron Judge.
As for the Red Sox, Wong is expected to remain their primary catcher in 2024, following the trade of top prospect Kyle Teel in the Garrett Crochet deal. Boston also has Carlos Narvaez and Blake Sabol, both acquired via trade, as potential backup options.
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