Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The Marlins have extended an offer to Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The news of this has been reported by Fox baseball writer Ken Rosenthal through Twitter.
Sources: #Marlins made recent offer to Saltalamacchia, terms not known. #RedSox previously made two-year offer, per @JonHeymanCBS.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2013
Ken Rosenthal’s tweet was later confirmed by John Heyman of CBS Sports.
#marlins are among teams looking at Salty, as @Ken_Rosenthal mentioned. Biggest needs: 3B and C
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 3, 2013
The news that the Marlins have made an offer to a free agent catcher is not that surprising. Marlins’ catchers really struggled last year as Rob Brantly took a big step backwards and Jeff Mathis was a solid defensive catcher, but offered nothing in the hitting department. Needless to say, the Marlins need some help behind the dish.
I am not a fan of pursuing Saltalamacchia. Last month I outlined the pros and cons of possibly acquiring Jarrod. I see him as more of a platoon catcher than an everyday backstop. He doesn’t hit left-handed pitching well enough to be an effective every day catcher, yet he is going to receive a contract that is going to be too expensive for a platoon catcher. Also he doesn’t throw out runners well at all. He would provide some power, but much of that would be diminished in spacious Marlins Park.
What do you think about the Marlins pursuing Salty? Are you a fan of acquiring him? How do you Red Sox fans feel about him? Let us know in the comments below.