Rockies sign Chris Iannetta to 2-year deal

The Rockies have agreed to a two-year, $8.5 million deal with free-agent catcher Chris Iannetta, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. FanRag’s Jon Heyman first reported the financial terms.

Iannetta, who spent the 2017 season with Arizona, returns to the Rockies, with whom he spent the first six seasons of his career from 2006 to 2011. The 34-year old will join Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy as options behind the plate for the Rox, who are also reportedly interested in a reunion with free agent Jonathan Lucroy.

Iannetta had a solid year in Arizona, hitting .254/.354/.511 with 17 homers in 89 games after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal last winter. He’s a veteran of 12 major-league seasons with the Rockies (2006-11), Angels (2012-15), Mariners (2016) and Diamondbacks (2017).

Iannetta’s role moving forward is dependent on Colorado’s pursuit of other catchers. If the club adds a top option like Lucroy, Iannetta will likely serve as a main backup. If they don’t, he could join a timeshare with either Wolters or Murphy.