The Colorado Rockies completed a trade with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon, sending catcher Michael McKenry to the East Coast for relief pitcher Daniel Turpen. McKenry had been in a three-way fight for the backup catcher position this spring, but that has now come down to either Jose Morales or Matt Pagnozzi.
McKenry was a 7th round selection out of Middle Tennessee St. in 2006, advancing one level at a time each season. In Triple-A Colorado Springs for 2010, McKenry had a .752 OPS in 99 games, but received a September call-up with the Rockies. He received nine plate appearances in six games. He struck out five times and walked once. With the advent of Wilin Rosario, Jordan Pacheco and, farther down the pipeline, Will Swanner, McKenry lost ground in having a future with the Rockies.
Turpen was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 8th round of the 2007 draft and has averaged 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He reached Double-A for the Giants and the Red Sox in 2010. Thomas Harding of MLB.com believes Turpen will head to Double-A Tulsa.