PHOENIX -- Another catcher is on the market now that Miami has designated veteran Jarrod Saltalamacchia for assignment. The Diamondbacks have had internal discussions about him, although their level of interest is unknown.
The Marlins have 10 days to trade, ask waivers or release Saltalamacchia, who had 66 home runs and 224 RBI from 2011-14 with Boston and the Marlins before losing his job this season. He signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Miami as a free agent before the 2014 season that is to pay him $7 million this season and $8 million in 2016.
Because of that salary, the Marlins appear to have very limited options in the trade market unless they agree to eat most of the remaining money. A team in need of a catcher could agree to take Saltamacchia if the Marlins chip in, say, $12 million.
A team that claims Saltalamacchia off waivers is obligated to pay his entire salary, which seems the least likely scenario given that Saltalamacchia is 29 and has two hits in 29 at-bats this season. If Saltalamacchia clears waivers, the team that signs him is liable only for the prorated portion of the major league minimum salary ($507,000) for the rest of this season. Miami would pick up the rest.
The D-backs have not received much offensive production from catchers Tuffy Gosewisch, Jordan Pacheco and Gerald Laird in the first three weeks of the season. The three have combined to hit .191 with no homers and four RBI.
The D-backs made offseason feelers about adding a catcher but have maintained since spring training that they are set. Laird is on the 60-day disabled list, but Rule 5 free agent Oscar Hernandez, who is on the disabled list with a fractured hand, could be ready to join the team in a month.
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