Red Sox Release George Kottaras

by Ben Buchanan on Nov 18, 2009 12:19 PM EST

WEEI's Alex Speier reports that George Kottaras has been granted his unconditional release by the Red Sox.

With the 40-man roster deadline bearing down and with 4 other catchers already taking up slots (Martinez, Varitek, Brown, and Wagner), the Sox chose to release Kottaras.

Kottaras played in 45 games last year, batting .237/.308/.387 while acting as Tim Wakefield's personal catcher for much of the year.

While Kottaras had 1 home run and 10 RBI, his most memorable moment with the Sox was likely when fellow ex-Sox John Smoltz placed a bubblegum bubble on his hat in the dugout without Kottaras knowing. Hilarity ensued.

Good luck wherever you land, Kott. Unless, of course, you follow in Kevin Cash's footsteps and sign with the Yankees.

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Not surprising

VMart can catch Wake, and Tek is taking up a roster spot.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 18, 2009 1:04 PM EST reply actions

He's a Brewer!

Feel free to like him as much as you used to, because Kottaras is now in the NL and won’t face the Red Sox outside of the postseason for years. He’s not Jason Kendall, which is the most important part.

by morineko on Nov 18, 2009 4:13 PM EST reply actions

This sucks

I really liked Kott. Which is funny, because I never used to like him.

Now I’ll just have to wait for Mr. Exposito to make me happy behind the dish…

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Nov 18, 2009 5:02 PM EST reply actions

I will catch grief on here for saying this but here goes

I hate that he is leaving. I predict he hits 15 HR’s for the Brewers this year. something about the guy I really liked.

Hey Tek...Screw you
Brandon Webb in 2010
Jason Bay is not WERTH it

by gizmosandy on Nov 18, 2009 5:18 PM EST reply actions

I wish him success. Anything that makes the Cardinals and Cubs suffer.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Nov 18, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I like your attitude

"A D+ Grade? That must have been a Wittardo grade"- @73_MC

by BrewHaHeather on Nov 19, 2009 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Nah, it could happen.

Not sure he’ll get quite that much playing time, but he did show a pretty good bat for us – should get a lot of doubles, at least.

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Nov 18, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed Gizmo

I really liked him too. He hit well, threw out runners well, and was pretty good behind the dish blocking pitches.

I wish him the best.

by drabidea on Nov 18, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

I certainly hope you're right!

"A D+ Grade? That must have been a Wittardo grade"- @73_MC

by BrewHaHeather on Nov 19, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

I really love what Tek gave us all these years as a Sox

but it really should be him heading to the NL, not Kottaras. Kottaras already plays good defense (caught Wake without incident last year) and showed some pop in Pawtucket, so he was the better choice as a backup.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Nov 18, 2009 10:50 PM EST reply actions

But he's the Capitan!!

Who would we pledge our allegiance to in times of peril?!?

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Nov 18, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

Hopefully Tek does not get enough at bats to make it matter.

Also, why not cut Dusty Brown and stash Kottaras down in Pawtucket. He still has options, right?

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Nov 18, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

RE:

I’d think Brown would have more options left than Kott…

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Nov 19, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

I’m pretty sure he was out of options

by wolf9309 on Nov 19, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

yep

Kottaras was out of minor-league options, and so rather than trying to pass him through outright waivers, the Sox put him on unconditional release waivers. As of today, he will be a free agent, free to negotiate with all clubs.

right from the article

by wolf9309 on Nov 19, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions