The Mariners have claimed catcher David Freitas off waivers from the Braves, as per a team press release. Right-hander Rob Whalen has also been reinstated to Seattle’s 40-man roster, thus filling every available spot on the 40-man.
Freitas was originally a 15th-round pick for the Nationals in the 2010 draft, and he has since been part of two notable trades (from Washington to Oakland for Kurt Suzuki in August 2012 and then from the A’s to the Orioles as a PTBNL in the Jim Johnson deal in December 2013) and also been selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft. No matter the organization, Freitas has hit well in his pro career, with a .272/.358/.414 slash line over 2665 career minor league plate appearances. Freitas made his big league debut this past season, appearing in six games for Atlanta.
With Carlos Ruiz hitting free agency, the Mariners could see Freitas as a candidate for the backup catcher’s job; Mike Marjama is currently the top choice on the depth chart behind starter Mike Zunino. At the very least, Freitas gives the M’s additional catching and first base depth in the minors.
Whalen also came to Seattle from Atlanta, coming to the Mariners along with Max Povse in exchange for Alex Jackson and Tyler Pike last December. Whalen appeared in just two games at the MLB level for Seattle in a season marked by several shuttles to and from Triple-A Tacoma, where he made just 10 starts. His year began with a month-long DL stint due to a sore shoulder and Whalen didn’t appear in another game after being placed on the team’s restricted list in early July due to undisclosed personal issues. In addition to 32 big league innings with the Mariners and Braves, Whalen has a 2.99 ERA, 7.9 K/9 and 2.59 K/BB rate over 413 career innings in the minors.
In other news the mariners make another useless pick up
In other news, someone makes another useless post.
Aww cute reply.
Aww cute comeback.
Was this whole thread in any way necessary?
Freitas could be a capable and inexpensive backup catcher. As far as waiver wire pickups he is certainly far from a useless addition on paper even if he doesn’t eventually contribute at the big league level. The Braves tried to remove him from the 40 man and obviously the Mariners thought Freitas was worth the time.
southi, I agree. The Mariners have no depth at catcher. They’ll still likely trade for another, or bring someone in on a minor league deal (or a MLB deal).
Marjama has a real shot at backing up Zunino.
Obviously nobody can really complain too much about a move like this but if I’m being honest, it just seems like a waste of $20k.
Freitas posted a sub .700 OPS in AAA-Gwinnett and his only other significant AAA exp. was in the Pacific Coast League, meaning it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Other than that though, he’s pretty much been a career AA catcher and he’s going to be 29.
I just feel like Freitas would have cleared, and could have been had on a minor league deal. It helps that he’s from right outside of Sacramento which could be helpful in enticing him.
I know catching depth is important, but I just see absolutely no upside here, especially considering they passed on Trevor Brown and Rob Brantly, both of whom I consider to be considerably better than Freitas.
Phillies, he’s a year removed from a solid 2016 season. Brantly and Brown may be feasible (and likely better) options, but it’s about the timing.
Freita has that look that says he’s gonna be a manager in the future. CALLING IT NOW!
I see trade bait
Freitas will hardly play, the same as Ruiz who was treated unfairly.
Sid, I would bet he plays plenty….in Tacoma. I would think Marjama, or someone else, is far more likely to backup Zunino.