PHILADELPHIA – Prior to signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers for the Major League Baseball minimum salary on Sunday, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia reportedly drew interest from "six or seven clubs," one of which included the Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLBTradeRumors.com.
Saltalamacchia, 30, hit .225/.310/.435 with 15 doubles, nine home runs and 24 runs batted in 79 combined games and 227 plate appearances last season with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Clubs had "varying levels of interest" in Saltalamacchia, according to MLB Trade Rumors, which additionally included the White Sox, Royals, Rays, Orioles, Angels and Diamondbacks.
The Phillies' interest in Saltalamacchia could indicate that the club is exploring options with the intent of parting ways with 36-year-old catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Ruiz, who is owed $8.5 million in 2016 and a $500k buyout the following year, hit a career-low .211/.290/.285 last season with just 16 extra-base hits spanning 86 games and 320 plate appearances.
If the Phillies continue to look for other catchers beyond Saltalamacchia, they could consider one of the following eight remaining players at the position on the market, as listed on MLB Trade Rumors' 2015-2016 MLB Free Agent List:
- J.P. Arencibia (30)
- Carlos Corporan (32)
- Tyler Flowers (30)
- Jeff Mathis (33)
- Michael McKenry (31)
- Jordan Pacheco (30)
- Wilin Rosario (27)
- Hector Sanchez (26)
Only two other catchers are listed on the Phillies' 40-man roster: Cameron Rupp and prospect Jorge Alfaro.
Perhaps the Phillies will find and sign a replacement to the 2008 World Series champion during the Dec. 7-10 Winter Meetings this week in Nashville, Tennessee.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
