In exchange for cash considerations, the Boston Red Sox traded for former San Francisco Giants catcher Tyler Heineman with the New York Mets.
Earlier this week, the Boston Red Sox traded for financial considerations from the New York Mets to acquire Tyler Heineman, a former SF Giants catcher. Heineman was designated for assignment by New York last week after being claimed off waivers by the Mets in December, which led to this small transaction.
In the eighth round of the 2012 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros selected UCLA’s Heineman. But before making his major-league debut with the Miami Marlins in September of 2019, he would have to wait more than seven years (and three organizations).
Heineman has frequently played in Triple-A with a team when they need an extra catcher and have called him up to the majors for a brief stint, just like some fringe MLB catchers may.
After the team’s depth at catcher improves, Heineman is assigned, and another team takes him, starting a new cycle.
Before the 2020 season, Heineman signed a minor-league free-agent contract with the Giants. As ace catcher Buster Posey chose not to play in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he found himself unexpectedly catapulted into an even more significant role with the organization. The Giants selected Heineman as their Opening Day starter behind the plate because they had a need there.
The Giants were confident that Heineman, who was coming off of his finest minor-league season of the year 2019, might translate that success to the major leagues. With the Marlins Triple-A affiliate, he had made 273 plate appearances and hit.336/.400/.590 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 21 walks, and 35 strikeouts. Despite Heineman’s solid playmaking (he struck out just six times in 50 plate appearances), the Giants needed more because of his lack of power. Before the San Francisco team chose to go a different route, he only managed to hit.190/.292/.214 in 15 games.
Tyler Heineman has been with the Cardinals, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Pirates since his time in the Bay Area. He has played in the major leagues for both the Pirates and the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old catcher will now aim to rejoin the Boston Red Sox in the major leagues.
