The Red Sox announced they’ve released utilityman Marwin González. That was the expected outcome after Boston designated the 32-year-old for assignment last week. The Sox also officially added waiver claim Travis Shaw to the active roster and optioned outfielder Franchy Cordero and catcher Connor Wong to Triple-A Worcester.
With Gonzalez signed to a one-year deal over the winter, his tenure in Boston was a disappointment. He hit a career-worst .202/.281/.285 with two home runs in 271 plate appearances. That marked his second consecutive very poor season at the plate, as González also struggled last year — his final campaign with the Twins. His monstrous 2017 season looks like an outlier, but González hit at a league average level from 2018-19 before falling off over the past two years.
González inked a $3 million guarantee, around $738,000 of which is still due to be paid out. Any club that claims González off waivers would assume that obligation, but it seems more likely the switch-hitter will pass through unclaimed and reach free agency, leaving the Red Sox on the hook for the money. At that point, another team could sign González and would owe him the prorated league minimum salary for any time he spends on the big-league roster, which would be subtracted from what he’s owed by Boston. If González lands elsewhere before Aug. 31, he’d be eligible for his new team’s postseason roster.
The Red Sox are off Monday night but will have a doubleheader against the Yankees on Tuesday. Tanner Houck will be recalled as the 27th man to start one half of that twin bill. Boston’s pair of optional assignments leaves another active roster spot open, and Ian Browne of MLB.com notes the hope is reliever Josh Taylor will be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Taylor landed on the COVID-19 IL over the weekend but has apparently not tested positive to this point. If Taylor is indeed ready for reinstatement, Boston will need to create a 40-man roster spot.
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