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The Twins and the Marlins are "in the mix" to sign free-agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Red Sox were the third club pursuing Salty, but with their signing of A.J. Pierznyski on Tuesday, they are almost certainly out on their 2013 starting catcher at this point.
The Marlins are looking for added offensive production at the catching position, according to Jackson and Saltalamacchia is probably the best option still available. The 28-year-old catcher had a breakout season at the plate lat year, hitting .273/.338/.466 in 470 plate appearances with the Red Sox. Since becoming an everyday player with Boston in 2010, he has steadily improved his hitting, posting a .243/.307/.455 line in that time and knocking 55 home runs. Defensively, his poor throwing often hurts the perception of his abilities- he has thrown out just 23 percent of base runners in his career- but he earns high marks in the more important pitch framing skill.
Miami and Minnesota had both been interested in ex-Cub Dioner Navarro before he landed with the Blue Jays. With Pierzynski locked up there are few other attractive free agent backstops remaining on the market at this point and that could create momentum for teams interested in Saltalamacchia. If the Marlins are unable to land Salty, Jackson believes they will seek a catcher on the trade market.
