clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Diamondbacks among teams interested in Jarrod Saltalamacchia

The free agent catcher has several suitors, with Arizona included in the mix.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks are among teams interested in free agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman:

Saltalamacchia was released by the Marlins yesterday after they did not work out a trade since designating him for assignment 10 days previously.

Any team that signs Saltalamacchia will only be required to pay him the pro-rated league minimum, with Miami owing him the remainder of the three-year, $21 million contract he signed prior to the 2014 season.

Where would Saltalamacchia fit in Arizona?

The Diamondbacks currently have the combination of Tuffy Gosewisch and Jordan Pacheco behind the plate, with veteran Gerald Laird on the 60-day disabled list.

Gosewisch, who has been the primary starter at catcher for Arizona, is hitting just .176/.222/.176 in 18 games this season, and his career numbers are not much better, with a .202/.224/.256 line over the course of 251 career plate appearances in three separate seasons.

Pacheco has just 29 plate appearances this season, but has produced in them to the tone of a .779 OPS with a home run. However, he has hit just .280/.317/.375 in his five-year career and has some defensive issues behind the plate as well.

The Diamondbacks do not have a catcher at Triple-A Reno on the 40-man roster.

What does Saltalamacchia bring to the Diamondbacks (or any team that lands him)?

Saltalamacchia started off the season slowly in Miami, with just two hits in his first 29 at bats before being designated for assignment. Prior to 2015, he had double-digit home runs in each of the past four seasons.

Last season, his first in Miami, Saltalamacchia hit .220/.320/.362 with 11 home runs in 114 games. In 2013, he hit, .273/.338/.466 with 14 home runs and 40 doubles with the Red Sox.