The Blue Jays have signed catcher Caleb Joseph to a minor-league contract, reports Jamie Campbell of Sportsnet (via Twitter). The Wasserman client will receive an invitation to major league spring training, Campbell adds.
Joseph is most well-known for his time with the division-rival Orioles. The 33-year-old played in parts of five MLB seasons with Baltimore, serving mostly as the club’s number two option behind the plate. He spent last season in the Diamondbacks’ organization, although he only appeared in twenty MLB games. Joseph spent a little more time with Triple-A Reno, where he hit .265/.324/.481 with seven home runs in 179 plate appearances. On the surface, that looks plenty strong for a catcher, but it was fairly pedestrian in the hitters’ paradise that was the 2019 Pacific Coast League.
Joseph has never been much of a hitter, with just a .223/.270/.350 line (66 wRC+) in 1,358 career MLB plate appearances. He’s long drawn above-average marks as a pitch framer from Baseball Prospectus and has thrown out a strong 31.8% of attempted base stealers over his career, though. Despite the lack of offensive prowess, Joseph makes sense as a defensive-minded backup option.
As things stand, the Jays figure to give the first look behind the dish at the young duo of Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire. That pair drew some trade interest at the start of the offseason, but they remain on hand as spring training approaches.
Hello Buffalo!
Considering Nate Pearson is going to be in Buffalo, it’s in the interest of the club that he work with a top notch defensive catcher to round him out before reaching the majors.
Isn’t this the same guy that served as the Orioles backup Catcher and didn’t drive in a run the entire season a few seasons ago?
Yeah, that one.
If Joseph could hit, he wouldn’t be a backup catcher, would he? He has a very good arm, he’s an excellent pitch framer, and he calls a good game. That’s what you need a backup catcher for.
Rsox: Really?? Are you the guy who logged into the comments section of this article with out reading the 1st two paragraphs??? Ya know where it says he served as Orioles backup catcher???? WOW maybe read the article first before asking a question!!!!
RSox hhhmm let me read the beginning of the article for you ….
He’s probably the best catcher that was left aside from Russel Martin. Here’s basically who is left now:
Jesus Sucre, average to slightly below average defensively
Wellington Castillo and John Hicks both got terrible defensive grades per B-P. So did a few of the guys signed to minor league deals (Kevan Smith, Phegley, Holaday, Weiters).
You could try coaxing Brian McCann, Chris Stewart or JC Boscan out of retirement.
You could try Jose Lobatan, whose defense was declining by metrics through 2018, and didn’t get out of AAA in 2019. He could be done entirely.
Bobby Wilson is rated well defensively, but is an abysmal hitter even for a catcher
Rene Rivera and Wilkin Castillo would be old rentals, and there is more upside to be found in a younger player who would be cheaper and able to be controlled past this season if things work out. That would be:
Rob Brantly, Juan Centeno, Joe Hudson, Steven Baron, and Raffy Lopez. Unless those guys are horrid defensively (not enough time in the bigs last year for the defensive metrics) they should be getting offers somewhere.
Rob Brantly, now that’s a name I haven’t heard in years.
Might note that Bobby Wilson will manage Texas AA team.
Brian McCann won’t be back as a player.
The Jays have always emphasized defense first in their young catchers, and having someone like Joseph in AAA to mentor young catchers and pitchers is a huge bonus.
Hopefully, we don’t see him on The Jays this year.
Charlie Donovan:”I’ve never heard of half these guys and the ones I do know are wast past their
prime”
Board member 1:
“Some of them never had a prime”
Board member 2: “This guy hers is dead”
Rachel Phelps: “Cross him off then”
Cast off from the Orioles. That’s something that does not look good on a resume.
We have scouts for a reason.
Pittsburgh should trade Starling Marte for either Jansen or McGuire and snag a few prospects in the process.
Just get it done already, Cherington.
Such a classic Pirates move. Use McGuire as a throw in so the Blue Jays take Liriano’s measly $11mil contract, only to turn around and trade your best player to re-acquire McGuire 3 years later.
Prospects would have to be pretty good ones.
Good signing by the Blue Jays. Helps the AAA staff, Riley Adams and could be called in-case of an injury to Jansen or McGuire. Solid move by the Jays.
They are a lot deeper this year in almost all departments, especially pitching. Buffalo has a really good team this year.
Yes they are. They just don’t know how much. 2020 is a year of searching for answers. Should be interesting.
The Jays have sent a message that nobody is going to be handed a job this year. It would be nice to find a good centre fielder on a team that wants to shed salary, and could be had for a prospect, but the need isn’t nearly as urgent as the places that have already been filled.
This Pirates fan says, “Hello, let’s make a deal”.
Yes, they need a quantity of low level prospects that project well. Their scouting department will need to earn their money on this one.
Orioles or Tigers? Who will win top pick this season?
Pittsburgh
Maybe Seattle?
Orioles in my opinion. I think that the Tigers have done enough to knock them out of having a top 3 pick.
Solid move imo
It’s been said b4, but extra catchers are needed in Spring Training.
Good move, either for depth in case of trades / injuries, or maybe grooming for a coaching position.
Like this signing by the Jays. That makes two signings that I like this year, Caleb and Ryu. He’ll help at the AAA level and it is a no brainer to call him up if injuries call for it.
While he? Sounds like some Amish dude. Hard working, perseveres, non showy, long beard, loyal to his team. Being averse to fancy schmancy tech might be a plus in our current climate.