If you’ve been paying attention to the start of spring training, you’ll have noticed an odd trend continuing across Major League Baseball.
Christian Arroyo arrived to his first camp with the New York Mets using an equipment bag from his days with the Boston Red Sox. Luke Weaver did the same thing, though his had a big logo representing the New York Yankees. Marcus Semien’s bag represented the Texas Rangers.
It’s not an issue, just… odd.
The Red Sox had two veteran players avoid that logistical nightmare at all costs this offseason, with first baseman Willson Contreras reaching out and asking for his new equipment bag to be shipped in advance while infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa went out and purchased his own, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford.
Contreras was acquired via trade with the St. Louis Cardinals on Dec. 21. Kiner-Falefa was signed to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
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Boston will hope the former can help fix some of the availability/defensive issues that have become so common at first base over the years, while the latter has an inside track toward becoming the club’s primary defensive replacement player.
