The Twins added another infielder to their roster on Wednesday, Jan. 21, completing a trade with the Boston Red Sox for utilityman Tristan Gray.
This is the second time Gray was traded this offseason — the Tampa Bay Rays dealt Gray to the Red Sox on Nov. 18 — and the Twins will be his fifth organization in the last calendar year. Gray, 29, has played 47 career major league games, including 30 last year with the Rays. He has defensive experience at all four infield positions.
Last season, Gray batted .231 with three homers and nine RBI in 78 MLB at-bats.
In return, the Twins traded minor league catcher Nate Baez to the Red Sox. Baez reached Class AA last year, posting a .697 OPS in 51 games after a hot offensive start at Class A-Advanced.
The Twins designated Vidal Bruján for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster, giving them a week to trade him or place him on waivers. The Twins claimed Bruján off waivers from Atlanta on Jan. 14.
Gray was traded to the Rays at the trade deadline last year after he spent the first half of the season at Class AAA with the Chicago White Sox. In Class AAA, he hit .270 with nine homers and 44 RBI in 72 games.
Boston needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster, prompting the trade, after signing pitcher Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract.
