It’s been a busy past couple of days for the Cardinals. St. Louis traded away Sonny Gray to the Red Sox for two pitchers but also brought back Yohel Pozo, who got a good amount of action behind the plate for the Cardinals last year.
Cardinals bring back Pozo
Aside from the execution of a major trade, the Cardinals re-signed Yohel Pozo on November 25. Pozo was one of many players, including four Cardinals, not to be tendered a contract last week.
The 28-year-old Pozo played in 67 games last season for the Cardinals, working as a complement to Pedro Pages and a St. Louis team that needed catching depth with Ivan Herrera nursing an injury.
An ex-Texas Rangers prospect who received his first MLB time in four seasons last year, Pozo slashed .231/.262/.375 with five home runs and 13 extra-base hits over 67 games. Pozo ranked above-average in Blocks Above Average (+2) and Framing Runs (+2).
Pozo joins a crowded catching depth chart, one that currently includes Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera, as well as prospects Jimmy Crooks and Leonardo Bernal.
Lucas headed overseas
The Blue Jays announced that left-hander Easton Lucas was placed on unconditional release waivers. He was officially released on November 25 for overseas opportunity purposes.
A 29-year-old left-hander, Lucas won a rotation spot to start the year and pitched well, as he tossed 11.1 scoreless innings to start the year. However, he gave up 14 earned runs, including five home runs, over 6.1 innings afterwards and fell out of the rotation conversation.
Lucas is not the only player headed overseas this winter. Bob Seymour (Rays) and Cam Devanney (Pirates) were released earlier for the same intended purpose.
Other news
The Reds re-signed Carson Spiers to a Minor League deal that came with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. Spiers was DFA’d and non-tendered last week.
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