Red Sox sign infielder Jamie Westbrook to a minor league pact
The Red Sox have signed free agent infielder Jamie Westbrook to a minor league deal, the team announced on Monday afternoon. The deal comes with an invitation to spring training.
The 28-year-old spent the 2023 season in the Yankees organization. He played in 117 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a .294/.400/.496 slash line with 20 doubles, 21 home runs, 65 RBIs, 70 runs scored, six stolen bases, a team-leading 67 walks, and 81 strikeouts over 496 plate appearances.
The Arizona native has positional versatility, primarily playing second base last season, he has experience in the outfield. During this minor league career, Westbrook has made at least one start at every position with the exception of center field, catcher and pitcher.
Westbrook will give the Red Sox veteran depth at the Triple-A level with young players like Nick Yorke and Chase Meidroth options to be with the WooSox in 2024. He could also provide a leadership with the void left behind by Ryan Fitzgerald, who was taken by the Royals in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft.
The utility player also was teammates with Triston Casas during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, winning a silver medal. Westbrook is a lifetime .279/.345/.434 hitter with 216 doubles, 28 triples, 120 home runs, 564 RBIs, 608 runs scored, 51 stolen bases, 352 walks, and 682 strikeouts in 1,110 career minor-league games (4,559 plate appearances).
Westbrook is waiting for his opportunity to crack a big league roster. He will get that opportunity in camp this coming spring. In an interview with Yahoo Sports at the end of the season, Westbrook talked about his time being in the minors, is like his big leagues.
"I think I'm just able to handle it a little bit better and enjoy where my feet are, as cliche as it sounds," he said. "This has to be my big leagues. Whether I'm in Double-A or Low-A, or extended or spring training, just kind of enjoying the game I have and just keep chipping away, man.
"I mean, you see it all the time, every day I watch MLB Network and see guys I've played against and I would tell you that I'm better than them or whatever. But, my story is my story and the only way to see it through is just to keep showing up and doing my thing. That's all I can really control."
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