Blue Jays Claim Red Sox Catcher Tyler Heineman Off Waivers

Prior to the 2022 season, the 33-year-old Heineman inked a contract with the Blue Jays. He was with Toronto for just ten games before the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him off waivers. Then, via a deal involving Vinny Capra, Heineman rejoined the Blue Jays in April 2023.On December 1st, 2023, Heineman was once again placed on waivers before being acquired by the New York Mets. On January 30, 2024, the Mets designated him for assignment. On February 2, 2024, he was transferred to the Red Sox for cash. There are still two weeks left in the regular season, so this move is surprising.

With pitcher Bowden Francis, who is pitching effectively in the second part of the regular season, the 29-year-old Serven got along well. Serven was not particularly noteworthy for his offensive output. Heineman is the more seasoned player and has more offensive experience out of the two. However, he has had a cyclical career and is currently in his third stay with the Blue Jays. These next few weeks will be a litmus test for him. He has only appeared in two games this season in the major leagues with the Red Sox. In the minors, he has played for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, where he has six home runs, 27 RBIs, and eight stolen bases.

Heineman’s Assets

Regarding Juan Soto, the Yankees must make a significant choice. The team will need to give the player a competitive contract to entice him to stay if they hope to keep him.

The Yankees, on the other hand, may let Soto walk in free agency and explore other options if they’re not ready to pay a significant cost for him. The Yankees’ plans for Juan Soto are still up in the air. The player, though, obviously has a lot of promise and will be a valuable addition to any team that signs him.