Orioles Seeking Catching Depth

The Orioles have one of the best catchers in the game in Matt Wieters, but they are looking for more depth behind him and back up Taylor Teagarden, according to Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.

Teagarden has been suffering from back spasms which have kept him out of exhibition games. The team has Luis Exposito getting playing time right now, but the former Red Sox farm hand has struggled badly on defense. They picked up Luis Martinez when the 27 year old was placed on waivers by the Rangers earlier this off-season, but Martinez strained an oblique muscle and has also been unable to play so far this spring. Weiters has caught more than 125 games in each of the last three season, so the impact that such players would have is expected to be minimal, but the Orioles clearly feel it is a big enough concern to warrant exploring their options right now.

Dubroff hears that the team may look at former Giants back up Eli Whiteside, who is currently with the Rangers and veteran Miguel Olivo who is with the Reds right now. Niether player is on their team’s 40-man roster. Chris Snyder is another name that could become an option for the Orioles. Snyder is signed to a minor league deal with the Nationals, but he has an opt-out clause that would allow him to seek a new home in late March.

Thee Orioles are not likely to give up much to bring in a player that would not play more than a handful of games, but they should be able to find some help as the final cuts are made and rosters finalized.