TRADE REPORT: Red Sox acquire former SF Giants in a trade with the New York Mets

In a deal with the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox acquired former San Francisco Giants catcher Tyler Heineman in exchange for cash.
Earlier this week, the Boston Red Sox traded for former San Francisco Giants catcher Tyler Heineman from the New York Mets in exchange for cash. The Mets grabbed Heineman off waivers in December, but they designated him for assignment last week, setting up this small trade.
The Houston Astros drafted Heineman in the eighth round of the 2012 MLB Draft from UCLA. However, it would take him over seven years (and three teams) to make his major-league debut with the Miami Marlins in September 2019.

Heineman, like many fringe MLB catchers, has frequently been at Triple-A with a team when they need another catcher and then called up to the majors for a brief period of time. Then, as the team’s catching depth improves, Heineman is designated for assignment, where another team takes him, and the cycle continues.

Prior to the 2020 season, the Giants signed Heineman as a minor-league free agent. When ace catcher Buster Posey elected not to play in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he was unexpectedly catapulted into an even larger role with the organization. With a necessity behind the plate, the Giants turned to Heineman for his Opening Day start.

Heineman was coming off the best minor-league season of his career in 2019, and the Giants were hoping he could replicate that success in the majors. In 273 plate appearances with the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, he batted.336/.400/.590 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 21 walks, and 35 strikeouts.

Heineman routinely put the ball in play, striking out only six times in 50 plate appearances, but his lack of power left the Giants wanting more. He hit just.190/.292/.214 in 15 games with San Francisco before the team opted to take a new approach.

Tyler Heineman has played for the Cardinals, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Pirates since his time in the Bay Area, with appearances in the majors with both the Pirates and Blue Jays. Now, the 32-year-old catcher will try to return to the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox.