Nationals add catcher Butler in deal with Red Sox

By Bill Ladson

January 14, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals added another catcher Wednesday by trading left-hander Danny Rosenbaum to the Red Sox for catcher Dan Butler.

Butler is the second catcher the Nats acquired this week. On Tuesday, Washington signed Steven Lerud to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Butler made his Major League debut with Boston last year, and he went 4-for-19 (.211) with two RBIs. Before reaching the Major Leagues, he spent six seasons in the Red Sox's farm system, hitting .256 with 47 home runs and 241 RBIs. Butler is expected to be with the Nationals during Spring Training.

Rosenbaum spent six years in the Nats' organization, and he missed most of the 2014 season because of Tommy John surgery. His best season was in 2011, when he went a combined 9-6 with a 2.52 ERA for Class A Advanced Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg.

Rosenbaum left a message on Twitter (@drosenbaum10), thanking the Nationals for the six years.

"Can't thank the @Nationals enough for everything! Now starts a new journey and opportunity with the @RedSox."

Can't thank the @Nationals enough for everything! Now starts a new journey and opportunity with the @RedSox #redsox #boston #FenwayPark
- Danny Rosenbaum (@drosenbaum10) January 14, 2015

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats.