The Yankees announced that they claimed catcher Eli Whiteside off of waivers from the Giants.
Whiteside appeared in 12 games with the Giants this past season and played another 60 contests with San Francisco's Triple-A affiliate. In parts of five seasons at the MLB level, the 33-year-old has a .215/.273/.335 batting line. Whiteside, a right-handed hitter, became San Francisco's primary catcher in 2011 after Buster Posey went on the disabled list. He's arbitration eligible with a projected 2013 salary of $600K.
Why?
Because Martin is a free agent and Gary Sanchez isn’t major league ready. I’m sure they intend to either re-sign Martin or sign someone like Ross, but this gives them a bit of cheap insurance. Either Whiteside or Stewart will likely be released before the season.
Depth?
It’ll be interesting to see what they plan to do with him. It’s also interesting that the Yankees have now grabbed both of the Giants’ main 2011 catchers post-Posey injury.
His gray hair is symbolic of the Yankees aging roster. It’s the perfect move lol
He’s not better than Chris Stewart. Neither give you anything offensively. Stewart is a more take charge kinda catcher. Whiteside will tackle first baseman that charge your pitcher though lol
Visions of that Giants/Phillies brawl still vivid in my mind! He was ready to take the entire Philly team!
hop at me bro!
George Kontos > Chris Stewart + Eli Whiteside. Cashman just trying to make up for a poor trade
This. Guys like Kontos and Quintana were let go for nothing. Bad job by Cash
I still like that trade for the Giants, but Stewart was a decent backup this year. It’s not like Cashman got fleeced.
Good for him. With Posey and Sanchez claiming the roles at catcher already, there wasn’t much room for Whiteside on the 25 man roster. He’s not a very good hitter, nor does he have much of an arm, but he does a good job at handling the pitchers and calling a good game (he caught Jonathan Sanchez’s no hitter back in 2009).
all your catchers are belong to us.
I made a comment exactly like this about pitchers last year… +1 for you.
Good riddance!
–Giants fan
Everyone that is knocking Cashman for this claim for a potential backup catcher for the Yankees has no idea what they are talking about. Cashman specifically claimed this guy as a WWF sideshow event during the games; therefore, effectively replacing Disco Stu…
Thanks for the memories Eli.
Yes. I’ll never forget the times he couldn’t hit.
:) I’ll miss him as a Dbacks fan.
Remember the time when he…oh never mind no he didn’t.
great pinch runner
I like Eli and he is a spotty hitter at best, so I am surprised the yanks claimed him. Stewart is a great defensive catcher, but in no way a catcher that will return the yankees to yesteryear. Russell Martin is their key. An ex-dodger that he is….
I think saying he’s a “spotty hitter at best” is being far too generous.
Ah crud….
– N. Colletti
Kevin Cash wonders why he ever retired every time someone like Whiteside gets/keeps a MLB job :-(
He was in triple-A for most of this year, he’s likely going to end up on the Yankees 40 man roster.
It’s just a exclamation point behind how terrible overall catching has become around the league when people like Whiteside, Kottaras are even floating around the league and getting the chance at jobs/playing time in some cases as with Kottaras.
Dad’s around the country should be buying up a chest protector, shin guards and a mitt when their boys are young-uns :-)
The phrase used to be “Have a left arm? Any MLB team could find use for you” new slogan “Do you own a catcher’s mitt? Come on down to the field!”
Kottaras has something like a .360 wOBA vs RHP, far from useless…
Other than he can’t throw and moves behind the plate like has lead weights in his shoes?
Remember him from the Red Sox organization verrryyy well.
Eli belongs on the Giants!
Cervelli must’ve really rubbed someone the wrong way in this organization…
Austin romaine