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Diamondbacks Sign Stephen Vogt

By Steve Adams | November 29, 2019 at 9:45am CDT

Nov. 29: Vogt will be paid $2.5MM in 2020 and has a $500K buyout of a $3MM option for the 2021 campaign, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. That option can trigger automatically depending on playing time, and the contract contains escalators (based on games started) that would boost Vogt’s salary in 2021.

Nov. 26: The Diamondbacks made a low-cost strike on the free-agent market, adding catcher Stephen Vogt on a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday evening. The deal will reportedly promise Vogt a total of $3MM, and it also contains a vesting option for the 2021 season. Vogt is represented by All Bases Covered Sports Management.

Stephen Vogt | Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Vogt, 35, feared his career could be over following a 2018 shoulder surgery with the Brewers, but he landed with the Giants on a minor league pact and proved himself with a quietly strong rebound season. In 280 plate appearances spread over the life of 99 games, the former All-Star hit .263/.314/.490 with 10 home runs.

Arizona’s need for a backstop isn’t necessarily acute, but Vogt’s left-handed bat will pair nicely with the up-and-coming Carson Kelly, who hits from the opposite side of the dish — and does so quite well (.356/.462/.667 versus lefties in 2019). Vogt will also give the 25-year-old Kelly another veteran mentor under whom to study, replacing fellow free agent Alex Avila, who remains unsigned but now appears destined to land elsewhere.

The D-backs also have veteran catcher Caleb Joseph on the 40-man roster as a third option, and given the fact that they’ve previously carried three catchers at a time even with a 25-man roster, it seems plausible that they’ll do so again now that rosters are set to expand to 26 players for the 2020 season. Alternatively, Vogt’s acquisition could also spell the end of Joseph’s time with the Arizona organization. He’s arbitration-eligible this winter and projected to receive a $1.2MM salary, which the club may feel too steep to pay a third catcher who falls behind both Kelly and Vogt on the depth chart.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the agreement (via Twitter). Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link) and Zach Buchanan of The Athletic (Twitter links) added details on the financial structure.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Transactions Stephen Vogt

Justin Bour To Sign With NPB’s Hanshin Tigers
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2019 Non-Tender Candidates
View Comments (87)
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87 Comments

  1. david klein

    6 years ago

    That obviously means Avila is moving on hopefully to the Mets

    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      6 years ago

      Meta haven’t had a great catcher since Mike Piazza

      Reply
      • Mr. E Team

        6 years ago

        They cut bait on d’arnaud too soon.

        1
        Reply
        • antibelt

          6 years ago

          After 4 years? He’ll be a high probability for a bust before that contracts over.

          4
          Reply
        • GothamGuy

          6 years ago

          @ geg42 – as a Mets fan who was hoping for big contributions from him I completely disagree. . . .Travis was given every opportunity but was constantly injured and didnt do much in the way of hitting when healthy.

          I honestly think he should’ve stayed out of the spot light down in Tampa with the Rays and Braves fans will be thoroughly disappointed when he buckles under the pressure of being on a tea expected to win.

          5
          Reply
        • johnny broccoli

          6 years ago

          Agreed.

          Reply
      • burtgummer

        6 years ago

        Piazza was obviously a great hitting catcher but defense was borderline awful

        1
        Reply
      • Frisco500

        6 years ago

        Wrek, very few teams have had a great catcher since Piazza (his defense aside). Great catchers are very rare.

        2
        Reply
        • burtgummer

          6 years ago

          No argument there

          Reply
    • LeylandsLung

      6 years ago

      Avila could end up back in Detroit.

      Reply
  2. Not Xabial

    6 years ago

    Mama June thinks the Brewers and David Stearns must be sound asleep, they’re missing out on a must-needed catcher left and right.

    3
    Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      6 years ago

      Avila is available and about as steady as can be. Manages a staff awesome. Works the count awesome. He’ll always be haunted by the shift but what lefty isn’t these days. The Brewers could do worse. And it won’t be hitting that will keep them from getting over the hump. They should go for the gusto and set their sights on Cole. And only Cole.

      2
      Reply
    • cadagan

      6 years ago

      Anyone who has had Mama June’s sketti, knows shes a genius.

      Mike Lvalliere and BJ surhoff are coming out of retirement to catch. Some of these catchers (not Vogt) getting contracts are soooo bad.

      Reply
  3. oaklandfan22

    6 years ago

    Was hoping he would end up back with the A’s.

    1
    Reply
    • mlb1225

      6 years ago

      That’s where I thought he would end up. He would have made a nice #2 catcher, add some depth to 1B as well, and could have been a mentor to Murphy.

      1
      Reply
      • oaklandfan22

        6 years ago

        100% agree. Lefty platoon for Murphy as well.

        Reply
      • Ejemp2006

        6 years ago

        Too expensive for an Athletics backup catcher. Have some faith, they will find some diamond in the ruff and you’ll fast forget about Vogt.

        Reply
        • GothamGuy

          6 years ago

          @ Ejemp2006 – yep, he’s a 31 year old California native named Austin Romine

          3
          Reply
        • unpaidobserver

          6 years ago

          No chance. A’s want one thing from catcher: unexpected dingers.

          1
          Reply
    • rathman53

      6 years ago

      Thank god.It was never a possibility. Research Jonah Heim and you will know why.

      Reply
      • OaktownMook

        6 years ago

        You mean the Jonah Heim who’s played a whopping 35 games in AAA. Vogt would of been a great grab for the A’s on a one year deal. A veteran to work with Murphy.

        Reply
  4. DarkSide830

    6 years ago

    nice pickup

    Reply
  5. brewpackbuckbadg

    6 years ago

    Was last off season the year that a bunch of relief pitchers went off the board quickly and then signings stagnated? Will it be catchers this year?

    Reply
    • rayrayner

      6 years ago

      No, that was two years ago.

      Reply
  6. Phiilies2020

    6 years ago

    Solid move. Catchers are coming off the board quickly

    3
    Reply
  7. walls17

    6 years ago

    Good move. Wanted the Yanks to grab him to be their backup

    Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      6 years ago

      The Yanks are busy grabbing other stuff.

      Reply
      • dynamite drop in monty

        6 years ago

        Yeah, mens butts

        4
        Reply
        • windmill_noise_causes_cancer

          6 years ago

          Well, they could always grab ’em by the p….

          Reply
      • Eatdust666

        6 years ago

        Nah, Hal and Hank just want a brand new Yacht, which they clearly don’t really need.

        Reply
  8. andrewgauldin

    6 years ago

    I was hoping he would sign in Anaheim. Good luck to him, love this guy

    1
    Reply
  9. HalosHeavenJJ

    6 years ago

    Really like Vogt. Met him briefly at Spring Training this year. He was signing for kids, taking pictures, really going all out to put smiles on their faces.

    3
    Reply
  10. Jeff Zanghi

    6 years ago

    Solid move – there’s really no other way to view it. This guy’s about as solid as they come in terms of backup/part-time catchers and offers depth at 1B as well! Hopefully he’ll build on last seasons successful comeback and put up solid numbers again this year. He’s a hard guy not to root for!

    1
    Reply
  11. Strike Four

    6 years ago

    Like him more as a 1B/LF/PH/3rd string catcher, but he’s the best guy in the game next to Doolittle so it’s a fine pickup for clubhouse reasons alone.

    3
    Reply
    • Ashtem

      6 years ago

      He is not an OF

      1
      Reply
      • spooky

        6 years ago

        He did get into LF a few times last year so technically he is an OF. It’s not the best idea but he can catch a ball right at him

        2
        Reply
      • Strike Four

        6 years ago

        He’s as much of an OF as he is a C. You can stick him there and hope he hits….

        Reply
    • andrewgauldin

      6 years ago

      What’s so great about Doolittle?

      Reply
      • Strike Four

        6 years ago

        Im not doing your homework for you

        4
        Reply
        • andrewgauldin

          6 years ago

          I had no idea this was school. I don’t know what’s so great about Doolittle still, other than he disrespected the U.S. President and was the lone player not to celebrate a WS championship with his team this year.
          I can name a few players who are “great” outside of baseball. Kershaw? Pujols? Any player that gives millions of dollars to charities?
          Honest question, what has Doolittle done to warrant him as “best guy in the game.” Is your criteria simply what the guy believes in? I’m missing something.

          1
          Reply
        • gmenfan

          6 years ago

          Careful, your axe to grind is showing.

          3
          Reply
        • dynamite drop in monty

          6 years ago

          Aww he didn’t genuflect to your hero the sentient vanilla pudding filled sausage casings. I like him even more now

          4
          Reply
        • windmill_noise_causes_cancer

          6 years ago

          But you’re ok with all the disrespect the U.S. “President” has shown to….literally everyone.

          Reply
  12. Ashtem

    6 years ago

    Hard working guy very solid

    Reply
  13. thinkblech

    6 years ago

    They cornered the market on motivational speakers. As a Dback, it’s appropriate that when he lives in a van down by the river, it’ll be the Salt River.

    1
    Reply
  14. azcrook

    6 years ago

    Another screwup by Farhan….solid player and clubhouse guy….there is nobody decent between Posey and Bart….fan favorite….more non renewals coming up

    1
    Reply
    • scottn59c

      6 years ago

      Maybe it’s time to see what Aramis Garcia can do. He didn’t do much in the bigs last year, but at AAA, he hit .271 with 16HR.

      1
      Reply
    • brat922

      6 years ago

      Agreed.

      Reply
    • jrjalr

      6 years ago

      Screw up. Yeah like dumping Melancon’s contract, turning a minor league signing in Pomeranz into a young infield top prospect, and striking gold with Yaz. Yeah the screw ups are piling up..

      4
      Reply
      • lanceparrishporvida

        6 years ago

        Underrated comment right here. Too many fan favorites in the past which is why we are where we are. Good Giants aren’t Good Players all the time.

        Reply
        • jrjalr

          6 years ago

          Agreed. I cringe when to this day, I still see fans say the giants need to bring back Lincecum..

          Reply
    • gmenfan

      6 years ago

      You assume that Vogt wanted to be back in SF and that Farhan dropped the ball. With all of the front office and managerial changes going on, its not difficult to envision players in the twilight of their careers not wanting to stick around for another bumpy year in SF.

      1
      Reply
  15. Melchez

    6 years ago

    Avila 52% Caught Stealing, 2 Passed Balls, 11 Wild Pitches .995 Fielding Percentage
    Vogt 17% CS, 4 PB,22WP, .998 FP

    Reply
    • crazylarry

      6 years ago

      As a Diamondback fan I am more than happy to see double play strikeout machine hurt half the time Avila MOVE ON

      Reply
      • Melchez

        6 years ago

        The last couple years have been hard on Avila. He’s still a solid defender (I think, unless Steve says otherwise) and he gets on base at a good clip. He K’s quite a bit though. Always has.
        Still remember 2011. He was the second coming of Lance Parrish.

        Reply
        • larry48

          6 years ago

          he’ll probably sign with Dodgers and becom the next great player, signed for cheap and really hit after they fix his approach or swing..

          Reply
    • bobtillman

      6 years ago

      Exactly. Vogt’s a terrible defensive catcher; was even as a young player.

      BUT, for 3M you get somebody to back up Walker (who’ll probably come back to earth) and be a 2nd-3rd catcher, depending on how they want to do it. And apparently he’s plus-plus in the clubhouse; that helps. And, bottom line, he hits a bit.

      It’s a good move.

      1
      Reply
  16. 22jclark

    6 years ago

    Great dude. Plays the game the right way, great in the clubhouse. Good get for the D-Backs.

    1
    Reply
    • humphrey x boegarts

      6 years ago

      When’s the wedding?

      Reply
      • dynamite drop in monty

        6 years ago

        “Plays the game the right way” is closeted racist language for “white”

        1
        Reply
  17. brat922

    6 years ago

    Not happy for SFG letting Vogt go, Zaidi!!!

    Reply
    • gmenfan

      6 years ago

      Sorry to let you know this, but Farhan isnt concerned with your(or any fans) thoughts on the matter.

      Reply
  18. davemlaw

    6 years ago

    Giants dropped the ball here. Vogt’s bat makes up for any defensive shortcomings and he could have received more at bats at First Base (he’s a better hitter than Belt).

    At $3M a year and the demand for good hitting catchers I really can’t believe the Giants let him go; oh wait, they’re not really going for it in 2020. Zaidi’s open statement “we’ll go where the market takes us” or whatever non-answer he gave is just a way to say don’t get your hopes up Giant fans. AT THE VERY LEAST, Vogt would have made for great trade bait.

    1
    Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      6 years ago

      BELT LEATHER BELT

      Reply
  19. jorge78

    6 years ago

    Does he still do that Chris Farley imitation in TV interviews?

    Reply
  20. giantsphan12

    6 years ago

    Sorry Zaidi didn’t re-sign him, as he was super solid for the Gmen last year. Cool guy too! Zaidi must feel confidant they Joey Bart is going to perform and between he and Buster, we didn’t need Vogt. Good pick up for the Dbacks.

    Reply
    • gmenfan

      6 years ago

      Or Vogt has his own free will and didnt wish to return to SF.

      Reply
  21. jints1

    6 years ago

    Vogt was waiting to see who the Giants manager was. I wonder if Farhan made any effort to sign him. He delivered some clutch hits last year and would have been a nice complement to Buster.

    Reply
  22. GOP Lizards

    6 years ago

    Not sure why Halos sign him. They gotta get someone behind the plate.

    Reply
  23. Sadler

    6 years ago

    I liked him as an offensive player for the Giants quite a bit but as far as catching goes, not so much.

    Reply
  24. keepinthafaithsd1

    6 years ago

    Alright now someone overpay for Hedges!!

    Reply
    • 1738hotlinebling

      6 years ago

      Probably the Rangers , just give them a few days ,

      Reply
    • larry48

      6 years ago

      Hedges will never be overpaid he sucks.

      Reply
      • Eatdust666

        6 years ago

        Yeah, but at least he is something that Gary Sanchez will never be, a competent defender.

        Reply
  25. Oxford Karma

    6 years ago

    Hard to believe Avila is only 32

    Reply
  26. Frisco500

    6 years ago

    Nooo! Figured he was moving on. He almost has more value in the clubhouse than on the field. A pros pro. But dont underestimate his bat. He has a some clutch in his blood. We believe in Stephen Vogt!

    1
    Reply
  27. 8791Slegna

    6 years ago

    I guess they believe in Stephen Vogt.

    Reply
    • larry48

      6 years ago

      no, he was cheap just what I would expect from dbacks!

      Reply
  28. 1738hotlinebling

    6 years ago

    Dust off the trophy shelf Arizona!

    Reply
  29. krillin89

    6 years ago

    So basically, unless he has an amazing 2020, it’s almost guaranteed they buyout his option

    Reply
  30. saintguitar

    6 years ago

    I was hoping the Angels would sign him as he would have provided at least some improvement behind the plate.
    Maybe reunion with Andrew Romine with the defensive-mind is in play?

    Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      6 years ago

      Jorge Fabregas

      Reply
  31. stevebaratta

    6 years ago

    Steve A, “Vogt, 35, feared his career could be over following a 2018 shoulder surgery with the Brewers”. Is that a stated fact or speculation?

    Steve B

    Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      6 years ago

      Scuba Steve!!!

      Reply
  32. rycm131

    6 years ago

    Wow! Can you imagine their lineup with him anchoring it?

    Reply
    • Lets Go DBacks

      6 years ago

      No. Please, enlighten us, thy spirit of wisdom.

      Reply
  33. Aaron Sapoznik

    6 years ago

    Addison Russell is a no-brainer to be non-tendered by the Cubs with little chance of him being traded by Monday’s deadline.

    As for the White Sox, it’s already been ‘reported’ that Yolmer Sanchez was outrighted and went unclaimed but the team is sure taking it’s time in officially announcing it via a press release or in the transaction section of their website. Same with Ryan Burr who was also reportedly designated for assignment earlier this week to clear a roster spot. Perhaps everyone involved in the process has taken an extended vacation this week or are too busy bargain shopping. Here’s hoping that doesn’t apply to Rick Hahn in regards to the signing of more free agents.

    Reply

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