The Phillies had a brief reunion with fan favorite Erik Kratz. The catcher signed with the Phillies in July and had a September call-up with the team. Kratz is moving on to another organization in 2016 after spending 2015 in four different Major League organizations.
According do Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Kratz is headed to the Padres:
Padres signed veteran Erik Kratz to MiLB deal. Re-signed Rocky Gale. Preller said will at least talk about maybe putting Hedges in AAA.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) December 11, 2015
Kratz will fill the role he formerly had with the Phillies: AAA depth.
The Padres had catchers Austin Hedges and Derek Norris on their roster, even before adding catcher Christian Bethancourt in a trade with the Braves this offseason. Norris could find himself at first base, as the Padres traded their first baseman in Yonder Alonso. So, Kratz seems destined for AAA unless there is an injury along the way.
The Phillies did not have that role available for Kratz after signing catcher J.P. Arencibia to a minor-league contract. The Phillies already have Gabriel Lino and Andrew Knapp likely headed for AAA Lehigh Valley, so there definitely was no role for Kratz in the Phillies organization in 2016.
Kratz batted .227 for the Phillies in 23 plate appearances in 2016. He also had five at bats for the Kansas City Royals before being waived; he then was claimed by the Boston Red Sox in June. The Red Sox kept him just a few days and Kratz signed with the Seattle Mariners. Kratz finally exercised an opt-out in his contract in July and signed with the Phillies.
