The Detroit Tigers just announced that they have signed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a Minor League deal. The deal includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Saltalamacchia is no stranger to the Tigers organization as an opposing player and a member of the 2016 Tiger squad.
The Detroit Tigers announced today that they have agreed to terms with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a Minor League deal, which includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. pic.twitter.com/Qq2kt9ikdX
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) March 9, 2018
http://gty.im/615201894
“Salty” is a journeyman and has played for seven Major League teams in his 11-year career. He left Detroit and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 after hitting .171 with 12 home runs for the Tigers. He made the Blue Jays out of Spring Training last year but was designated for assignment not long after that.
The rumors were swirling around Lakeland this morning when several reporters noticed Saltalamacchia:
We just saw Jarrod Saltalamacchia arrive at Tiger Town, presumably providing some catcher depth. No announcement yet.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) March 9, 2018
Jarrod Saltalamacchia was in the free-agent camp in Bradenton that closes today. So, reportedly, was fellow ex-Tiger Omar Infante.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 9, 2018
It will be interesting to see where he ends up. He’ll most likely start the year in Toledo but definitely provides some insurance behind the plate with his experience. Should James McCann or John Hicks get hurt this year, Saltalamacchia can certainly fill in.
Former Tiger beat writer Matthew B. Mowery wondered aloud on Twitter just a few minutes ago about what the Saltalamacchia signing could mean:
And now, with a glut of catchers with big-league experience in camp, does that make it more likely that maybe they move a guy like McCann? Hmmm …
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) March 9, 2018
Derek Norris and Brayan Pena are the other catchers in camp competing.
Saltalamacchia has been up and down statistically in his career. His career slash line is .233/.307/.409, and his best season was 2013 with the Boston Red Sox. He went .273/.338/.466 in 121 games. He also hit 14 home runs and drove in 65 RBIs that year.
He has always had some pop in his bat, and his career-high 25 home runs came in 2012 with the Red Sox. Defensively he’s average but does provide a spark offensively as a switch hitter.
Nation what do you think of the signing? Insurance in case of injuries or an opening to trade McCann? Time will tell and we’ll see if he sticks or ends up going elsewhere.
