The Rangers have announced the signing of catcher Curt Casali to a minors deal with an invitation to participate in MLB Spring Training. He had recently been released by the Angels after previously signing with that organization earlier in the winter.
Texas also announced that it will bring back outfielder Jose Cardona and righty Tayler Scott. Both also have minors deals with spring invites.
The 29-year-old Casali could battle with Juan Centeno, Brett Nicholas, and Mike Ohlman for the reserve job behind regular Robinson Chirinos. The losers of that fight, presumably, will line up as organizational depth or land with other organizations.
Casali has racked up 19 home runs in 466 career MLB plate appearances — all coming with the Rays in the past four seasons — but also carries a .285 on-base percentage at the game’s highest level. He’s a .246/.349/.352 hitter in 739 career plate appearances at Triple-A.
Of course, a variety of defensive attributes are often deemed most important for reserve catchers. Casali is generally considered a sturdy all-around asset behind the dish. He has graded well as a framer and has succeeded in cutting down would-be base stealers in the majors.
The 23-year-old Cardona reached the upper minors for the first time last year but managed only a .277/.316/.385 slash in 465 Double-A plate appearances. He became a minor-league free agent at the end of the year but will return to the only professional organization he has known.
Scott, 25, landed with the Rangers last season in the deal that sent Jeremy Jeffress to the Brewers. He was bombed in his 13 appearances at Triple-A, but had been more successful with the Brewers and could yet contribute at some point as a releiver.
Here comes a snarky comment from someone about how the hot stove is heating up.
I was waiting for the one saying Texas is trying to buy another championship…collusion!
Man, like does anyone have Scott Boras’ phone number? I’m tired of the top new stories being a team signing a 3rd string catcher to a minors deal, or a team signing a 30 year old RP to a minors deal. I will give Boras the talk, and then he will be convinced to make his players sign with teams TODAY!!!
you do know the players agree to the deals, and not Boras right?
Highly concur! Agents are usually lawyers and they’re required to present any offer to the player. Much like settlement offers in lawsuits have to be presented to clients for acceptance or denial…
Snowflake, talking with Boras will take you out of your safe space.
Really? What’s your safe space, Roadapple?
I wouldnt put much stock in Casali’s framing numbers. Theres no consistancy in those numbers for big league regulars. Small sample size for a 4A player is unlikely to be reliable.
Yup! They change so much
and shouldn’t be important stats anyway!
I thought the Angels has him hmmmm
They released him earlier this week to make room for Rene Rivera.