The Padres have signed catcher A.J. Ellis, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The agreement is a minor league deal, according to MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell (all links to Twitter). Ellis can earn at a $1.25MM rate in the majors, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets.
The longtime Dodgers catcher is returning to the NL West after spending the end of the 2016 campaign with the Phillies and 2017 with the Marlins. Ellis hit .210/.298/.371 with six homers over 163 plate appearances for Miami last season, working behind A.J. Realmuto. He’ll now look to serve as Austin Hedges‘ backup with the Padres, as Ellis will compete with Rocky Gale, Rafael Lopez, and Luis Torrens for the job.
Padres manager Andy Green said earlier today that his team was still considering adding veteran catchers and shortstops on minor league deals to compete for jobs in spring camp, so the Ellis signing checks one box off the front office’s to-do list. Ellis has far more experience than his competition, so he could have a leg up on Gale and company given Ellis’ ability to serve as a mentor to San Diego’s many young pitchers.
Easily wins the backup job out of spring training. Another light hitting addition to the swinging friars roster!
I’m ok with this, give Hedges a veteran as a backup
Trade for Kershaw is next.
I’m expecting more juvenile comments first
Padres may have interest in trading for Kershaw once he is out of his prime. They’ll use the words “veteran presence” to justify it.
Wouldn’t mind watching Kershaw ride out his “Bortolo” years in SD. As a season ticket holder, it’s always the Dodgers moments we have to live for anyways.
It’s a minor league deal, but I bet he’ll make the team. Pads have virtually no major league caliber catchers on their roster.
Other than Hedges. Who could be on any mlb team with his skillset.
I’m sure that’s your opinion as a Padres fan. I only speak based on facts and that .214 batting average last year contradicts what you just said.
71 wrc+ from a top 5 if not top 3 defensive catcher in baseball is acceptable.
You tried though.
Stat corner rated him the 3rd best defensive catcher behind grandal and flowers last year statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php
According to fangraphs he was 8th in a basic stat like dwar and 2nd in defensive runs saved.
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=fld�…
Im sure thats your opinion though, but the experts contradict what youre saying.
Lmao, you get your stats from fan graph and stat corner huh? No wonder your misguided. I’ll let you believe what you want, unfortunately the truth is Hedges could use another year or 2 in El Paso.
Rocky Gale is more MLB ready than hedges.
Says the expert citing batting average for a catcher lol. 1970s called. They want their stat back.
That’s the only stat I mentioned, certainly not all I’m going off. Are you insinuating that batting average is a worthless stat in measuring the ability of a player?
For catcher it is. You can get a superb defensive catcher that can hit over .200 most teams will sacrifice the offense for the sure fire defense and pitch framing behind the plate.
Catchers are judged more on their defense than their offense. Which is why a guy who sucks at defense as a catcher is moved to 1B or OF.
Rocky gale is a great defensive catcher, I don’t think anyone can deny that! But why has he never really stuck in the bigs? Because what your saying is complete crap! It’s not all about defense when it comes to catchers, they gotta be able to swing the dam bat and get on base aswell otherwise they aren’t exactly major leave caliber! Pitchers are the only exception when it comes to having crap batting stats.
It’s obvious you don’t know much about the game of baseball, I’m going to agree to disagree and move on, you’re wasting my time.
Rocky gale is below .200 batting in his mlb career LOL. BELOW .
maybe you got confused when i said OVER .200
Dont worry people usually confuse below and over it is quite common. For children under 5.
Did you even read a word I wrote? I never claimed Rocky to be a better hitter than Hedges. He is better defensively though. Gale is an outstanding catcher, hitting is his weakness though and that’s what has caused him to basically be a career minor leaguer. Get some sleep kid it’s gotta be past your bed time.
LOL this dude rage quit. Thats classic. Got his butt owned and went home LOL. I dont think ive ever seen anyone rage quit that badly on here before. Guess he had enough of being proven wrong.
Your insane lol. Your not even reading what I write, and your trying to argue over things I never said. Again, I never claimed Gale was a great hitter. I’ve had enough of your baseless claims not backed by statistical data. I’ve proven all of my points with valid statistics to back them, you just like to spread lies and fan based views.
I read what you wrote. Given how simplistic your argument, reasoning, comprehension, and opinions are all you’ve done is
You- .214 ba is a problem
Me- .214 isnt that bad when youre great at defense
You- ROCKY GALE GOOD AT DEFENSE STOOPID
Me- rocky gale hits below .200
You- YOU NO READ WHAT I TYPE
Me- you done embarassing yourself yet?
You- NO I TYPE MORE YOU NO STOP ME
Ice up.
Troll!
Ice up son. Anytime you need a reminder who your daddy is kiddo ill be here to help you figure out this complex game of baseball.
You know nothing about baseball lol. As I have said, all of your talking points have been based on opinion, mine are based on stats, and I schooled your ass! Take a walk.
Lol its pathetic you believe that. Man, I must of whooped your butt too hard throwing out facts that your mind couldnt handle apparently.
Must still be trying to figure out what dwar and drs and wrc stand for lol. Fool is over here trying to pronounce them like words and has no idea what an acronym is lol. Classic.
Drs doesnt stand for doctors kiddo.
Lmao, and every comment you make just proves my point even more that you know nothing about baseball, especially when it comes to statistics.
Rage quit? Are you coming up with these sayings yourself or is that what the Kardashians are saying these days?
The term rage quit has been around for quite some time actually. Initially, it was started as a term for people thats flip over board games when they were losing before the game was over.
The only stat you mentioned and cited was batting average. You know 1 stat. Which apparently is also your IQ level.
Right, I’m sure it’s been around forever…now I just feel plain stupid for not realizing it…I would actually call someone who flipped a board game over before it was over something that won’t last on this board but I guess “rage quitter” works too
Forever = /= a while.
The earliest mention of the phrase rage quit i could find on the internet in 5 seconds was 2005.
urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ragequit
So been around at least 13 years. Maybe you’re too old to have heard the phrase?
get corncobbed binch
Make sure to charizard your wives or gfs tonight fellas. Happy Valentine’s day.
urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Charizard
I’m a Padres fan and don’t get that either. He’s barely a replacement level player and gets to start because someone in the front office is convinced he has secret value with handling tie pitching staff.
It’s funny, because you both are arguing, you and Bacon, and you are both half-way correct.
Hedges is a good defensive catcher..Fact
Hedges is a below average hitter, and unless he improves he’ll become a career back-up… FACT
Hedges will continue to get a chance to prove he can improve his bat, more than most, because he was a highly rated prospect coming up..Also, it is basically due to the Padres not having anyone else really even worth considering…FACT
OVERALL, Hedges, right now, has the skillset of an excellent back-up catcher. If he can come closer to hitting around the league average for his position, then he will stick as a solid starter.
Baseball Prospectus had Hedges #1. Care to send him to Baltimore?
He might not hit for average, but he brings some power. Hedges is more known for his glove, with his 20 DRS, and 36% of runners caught stealing on him.
Plus, you’re losing this argument. You’ve used no other stat than average to prove that Gale is better than Hedges.
You’re basis for Hedges is based strictly on his batting average?
For a Catcher?
Wow
Baseball Prospectus says Hedges is the best defensive catcher in baseball.
legacy.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?c…
Wil Myers, Chase Headley, Carlos Asuaje, Manuel Margot, Brad Hand, Jose Pirela, Freddy Galvis, Craig Stammen, Kirby Yates, Hunter Renfroe
AJ is the biggest Snitch ever in Baseball no wonder the Dodgers Traded him
What did he do?
He didn’t do anything. em650r has no clue what he’s talking about.
Seems to be a common theme in these comments.
With the common factor being you. Your ignorance knows no bounds it seems.
Snitch? Please elaborate…
You must be a gang banger or spend your time in and out of prison. Those are the only idiots that really care about “snitches”
Uh huh. He’s such a snitch that was so well respected in the Dodger clubhouse that they were in utter shock when he was released. He’s such a snitch that Kershaw comes and visits him in a Milwaukee suburb he calls home. Face it, you have not idea what you’re talking about
He was traded (for Carlos Ruiz) if it makes any difference. But yes the atmosphere in the clubhouse was described as being like a morgue on that day. His popularity with his teammates was the main reason he was sent away IMO.
Actually I think most people would argue that Jim Bouton was the biggest snitch in baseball…maybe Jason Grimsley
Never was a all star type player but he’s one of my favorite all time Dodgers. He had clutch hits when it matter and called a good game every time out.
Extra glove to catch all of the arms the Friars bring to camp, and has a good chance to be the starting back-up. Good move for both sides. Probably the best fit for Ellis.
Obviously being a Philly homer here, but hoping Chooch can get an invite somewhere.
As a player or a goodwill ambassador?
“Starting back-up” is my new favorite phrase
*J.T. Realmuto not A.J. Realmuto.
I was wondering if anyone was going to day anything about that lol
True!
Overall, it’s a good signing for the Padres. He can help Hedges, and give him an occasional day off when necessary.
Hopefully Hedges can figure it out at the plate, because he’s a very solid defensive catcher. Unfortunately though, if he doesn’t improve his approach and his hit tool, then he very well could be viewed as nothing more than a solid back-up, defensive catcher…
Even so, Hedges has time on his side, due to his age, former prospect status, and the Padres lack of talent at the Catcher position. Definitely rooting for him to figure it out though..
No upside. Also don’t like him because he was a dodger. Hopefully he doesn’t win the job because he has been a mediocre major league catcher for some time while Rocky and Raphy havent.
No upside. Also don’t like him because he was a dodger. Hopefully he doesn’t win the job because he has been a mediocre major league catcher for some time while Rocky and Raphy havent. Uuuggh…they also have no upside.
Username checks out.
This guy should win the job because everyone is better than “A.J. Realmuto”
The stoves heatin’ up jumbalaya….
61 babbles about a bench catcher on a minor league deal…you can tell football is over….time for MLB games to begin.
Well said. In the sea of comments I think maybe 3 or 4 points were actually made. It was more a pissing match of who won the argument and who needed to ice themselves. MLBTR has come a long way.
I remember the days when the comments were more sensible on this site. Now there’s people going around pretending to be affiliated with Scott Boras starting stupid arguments with people.
On topic, I like this signing, and Ellis probably has a good chance of making the roster. A positive veteran presence like him is always a good thing.
“Good clubhouse guy”
“Brain dead”
Hedges needed a veteran backup, good move.
Now time to get a UTL infielder that can back up Galvis at short here and there. Idk if Yunel Escobar can still play SS but he would be a nice fit on a minor league deal as well. Also JJ Hardy seems like a logical fit, another veteran to go along with AJ Ellis in that clubhouse.