Blue Jays sign Jarrod Saltalamacchia to minor-league deal

The Blue Jays have signed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a minor-league deal, according to FOX’s Ken Rosenthal. The deal, which was first reported by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, guarantees $1.25 million if Saltalamacchia makes the major-league team and includes $250k in incentives.

Saltalamacchia is the top candidate to be the Jays’ primary backup behind Russell Martin, providing a veteran alternative to A.J. Jimenez and recent waiver claim Juan Graterol. Toronto had strong interest in both Drew Butera and Chris Iannetta at different points this offseason before coming to terms with Saltalamacchia.

Salty spent last season with the Tigers, hitting .171/.284/.346 with 12 homers and 38 RBI in 92 games for the club. He played out the final year of the three-year, $21 million deal he signed with the Marlins after the 2013 season, collecting on it despite being released by Miami during the 2015 season.

Saltalamacchia, who turns 32 in May, is a veteran of 10 major-league seasons with the Braves (2007), Rangers (2007-10), Red Sox (2010-13), Marlins (2014-15), Diamondbacks (2015) and Tigers (2016). In that span, he owns a career .234/.309/.413 with 110 homers.