Red Sox sign former Twins outfielder to a minor-league deal
The Red Sox have signed free agent outfielder Mark Contreras to a minor-league deal, according to Baseball America’s transactions log. It’s unclear whether his deal comes with a major-league invite to spring training.
Contreras spent the last seven seasons in the Twins organization, after being selected in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB draft out of UC Riverside. The 28-year-old made his big-league debut last May, playing in 28 games for the Twins, posting a .121 batting average (7-for-58) with one double, three homers, six RBIs, nine runs scored, one stolen base, a walk and 21 strikeouts.
The Twins outrighted Contreras off their 40-man roster last December after signing Joey Gallo. He went unclaimed and was sent back to Triple-A St. Paul.
While playing with the Saints, the left-handed hitter slashed .274/.352/.418 to go along with 17 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 54 RBIs over 381 plate appearances. He was later released by the Twins in August.
For his career in Triple-A, Contreras is a lifetime .252 hitter with 43 homers, 64 doubles, 176 RBs, 58 stolen bases in 1,198 games.
The 6-foot outfielder has versatility playing all three outfield positions. Contreras recorded four outfield assists, three of them coming from playing in center field with the Saints this past Samoan.
The move to add the veteran outfielder provides the Red Sox with depth at the upper levels of the minors. With both Narciso Crook and Bradley Zimmer free agents, the Red Sox will look for depth at Triple-A Worcester in the coming weeks.
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