Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is aware that his future with the reigning World Series Champion looks uncertain following his lackluster performance behind and at the plate throughout the recently-concluded six-game World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The 28-year old Saltalamacchia recently captured his first ever World Series title after the Red Sox booked a championship-clinching 6-1 win over the Cardinals in Game 6 Wednesday night.
Despite the celebration in Boston, Saltalamacchia admitted that his tenure with the Red Sox could be over after he was benched by manager John Farrell in favor of David Ross in the last three games of the series.
"As we're getting closer, obviously, you think about how this could be the last time I wear this uniform, and last time I play here as a home player," Saltalamacchia said prior to Game 6 via ESPN.
Saltalamacchia started in nine of 16 games for the Red Sox this postseason, but was just hitting .188 at the plate. Moreover, a couple of costly fielding miscues in Game 2 and 3 prompted Farrell to change his personnel behind the home plate.
Farrell's decision payed off as Ross went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and RBI to help the Red Sox take a 3-1 win in the crucial Game 5 at Busch Stadium.
Saltalamacchia didn't rule out the possibility of staying put at Fenway Park, though he believes his upcoming free agency is beyond his control.
"It hits you a little bit. You don't want to leave but at the same time it's one of those things where it's baseball. If it goes in that direction you can't control it. I haven't thought too much of a destination, but it's definitely hit me a few times that this could be the last time," said Saltalamacchia, who went .273 with 14 homers and 65 RBIs during the regular-season.
"Yeah. Oh, yeah. I've said that from the beginning, I would love to stay here and make this my home, but you really can't control it," he added.