The Phillies have agreed to terms with catcher Bryan Holaday on a minor league deal, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweets. Holaday is represented by Lagardere Sports.
Holaday is expected to compete for the backup catcher job in Philadelphia, Crasnick notes. Cameron Rupp currently is slated to start. The Phillies also appear likely to have 2016 Triple-A catcher Andrew Knapp in camp, along with top prospect Jorge Alfaro, with Holaday providing the team with a more veteran option. A.J. Ellis, who finished the 2016 season as the Phillies’ backup, recently signed a one-year deal with the Marlins.
The 29-year-old Holaday began the 2016 season with the Rangers, then headed to the Red Sox on a waiver claim. The Red Sox ultimately non-tendered him rather than paying a projected $900K salary. For the year, he batted .231/.281/.359 over 129 plate appearances, roughly in line with his career .245/.282/.346 marks in parts of five big-league seasons. He caught eight of 21 batters attempting to steal.
Good move. Knapp might not be ready defensively.
Agreed and knapp could also be a trade piece along with one of the excess bullpen righties, Gomez or Ramos to get us a stopgap right fielder.
As long as it isn’t Jay Bruce.
why sign a nothing ?
Its a minor league signing, who cares?
If he’s a nothing what does that make you in the grand scheme of baseball?
hate comments like these… you’ve never said someone on your favorite team stinks?
Because you have to fill the minor league teams too.
That and it helps to have depth in case of an injury.
I liked him when he was on the Sox, the Phillies could do a lot worse.
A .281 OBP nearly matching his career .282 OBP. He fits right in.
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I’m already missing Ruben Amaro. At this rate the Phans – all two hundred of them left at CBP – will be chanting “Bring back Ruben! Bring back Ruben! Bring back Ruben!”
Its a minor league deal with a chance to compete for a backup role. relax.
Never should have let Ellis walk ! Knapp either won’t be in a phillies uniform, or with the phils but not catching. Tommy Joseph hasn’t proven YET that he’s an everyday 1st basemen, even tho I hope he does. Knapp can play 1st base as well. Not sure why the phillies even changed gm’s, still doing the same crap moves Amaro did
It’s a minor league signing in case Knapp has an awful spring or somebody gets hurt. Relax.
your that upset with letting ellis walk?
so, where these 21 batters attempting to steal first base?