The Boston Red Sox have officially signed catcher David Ross to a two-year deal, according to a press release from the team. The deal is reported to be worth $6.2 million, according to Ken Rosenthal.
The 35-year-old Ross has made an 11-year career as a back-up catcher, spending time with the Dodgers, Pirates, Padres, Reds, Red Sox and Braves. His best season was in 2006 in Cincinnati, when he hit 21 home runs in just under 300 plate appearances. He has spent the last four seasons of his career in Atlanta, serving as the back-up to All-Star Brian McCann. He has earned a reputation as the best back-up backstop in the league due to his stout defense and strong bat. During his time in Atlanta, he recorded a sterling 3.33 catcher's ERA and threw out 37.5% of would-be basestealers, while hitting .269/.353/.463.
The Red Sox now have a glut of catchers with Ross joining Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway. They could look to trade one of them in order to fill a need elsewhere on the roster.