Former Red Sox second baseman finds new home with NL East club
Former Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo has signed a minor league deal with the Phillies, according to Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors. The deal also includes an invite to spring training.
Arroyo, 29, was once one of the game’s top prospects and has spent time with the Giants, Rays, and the Red Sox. He spent parts of four seasons with Boston after being claimed off waivers from Cleveland during the 2020 season.
Arroyo’s final season with the Red Sox in the 2023 season was one he’d like to forget, dealing with a pair of IL stints due to a hamstring strain and an ankle sprain. He played in 66 games but really scuffled at the dish, slashing .241/.268/.369. He was designated for assignment after the Red Sox acquired Luis Urías from the Brewers for pitcher Bradley Blalock at the trade deadline.
Following the decision to designate Arroyo for assignment, then Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom talked about the difficulty in moving on from the veteran infielder.
"Really hard. The baseball side of it, Christian has not been able to get on track consistently this year,” said Arroyo. “It's tough because he's a better player than this, and I know he's going to have success again. What makes it harder is what he means to us... I think this is a guy who appreciates Boston, who has really bonded with our fans; that makes it hard.”
With the Phillies, Arroyo will have a chance to compete for a spot on the 26-man roster. It looks like he will compete with Weston Wilson, Buddy Kennedy, and Kody Clemens for a bench spot. If Arroyo fails to make the Phillies Opening Day roster, he will likely be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate.
