The Guardians have agreed to a Major League deal with catcher Luke Maile, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link). Maile will earn $900K in guaranteed money.
A veteran of six Major League seasons, Maile’s tenure was interrupted by a finger surgery that cost him the entire 2020 season. Playing that year on a split contract with the Pirates, Maile landed with the Brewers on another big league deal last winter and ended up appearing in 15 games with the Brew Crew.
Cleveland declined their club option on longtime catcher Roberto Perez last fall, leaving a vacancy behind the plate. Austin Hedges remains as the de facto starter, while Sandy Leon was also signed to a minor league deal back in November. Maile’s addition will ostensibly push Leon down to Triple-A depth, though it’s probably safe to assume that the Guardians will have Maile and Leon compete for the secondary catching job during Spring Training.
Neither Maile or Leon have shown anything more than flashes of offensive production over their careers, and Hedges has likewise been a glove-first catcher. The Guardians have traditionally prized defense, game-calling, and pitcher management over hitting when it comes to their catchers, and it should seem like Cleveland is aiming in that same direction for 2022, rather than explore picking up a bigger bat as Perez’s replacement.
In order to create space for Maile on the 40-man roster, the Guardians announced they’ve placed right-hander Carlos Vargas on the 60-day injured list. The hard-throwing pitching prospect underwent Tommy John surgery last April, and it seems that recovery timeline will keep him on the shelf for at least the first couple months of this season.
Still a terrible name.
Agreed
Luke isn’t so bad. I’m not familiar with his last name or how to pronounce it but it’s hardly his fault.
Smart ass. I’m clearly talking about Jon Heyman…
Luke is a biblical name, so I dig it. Not sure why all the hate as he certainly can’t pick his last name, but I’ve seen worse.
But, on the other hand, I didn’t realize he went to a hockey team?!
No, roller derby. Totally different sports.
Top quality user name 🙂
Homer: They should’ve renamed the ENTIRE team name. They could’ve been called the CLEVELA NDIANS. At least fans can still chant “Let’s Go ‘dians”.
“Terrible name” said HomerSexual
Obviously you’re not a golfer…
Not as bad as “Guardians.” They could have done better.
CHAMPIONSHIP!!
$900k? Dolan back to his big-spending ways. Sell the team Dolan!
Yeah, they should spend more money on a backup catcher..
typical cleveland baseball move.
I mean he could likely replace Perez’s .150 average but rather a team like this take a shot on say Alfaro. They already have the defensive catchers who cant hit.
Hopefully he’s gone by May when they get passed the extra year of control for Lavastida
Lavastida needs more reps. He has 35 games above High-A ball. It had nothing to do with service time.
I’m thinking that Bo Naylor’s offense comes around and he’ll be the Cleveland ‘dians catcher of the next handful of yrs. He struggled last year but was young for AA, especially considering the lost 2020 season.
Bo Naylor was dreadful last year. Age is no excuse. He has to turn it around at the plate before he gets any serious consideration. No on Bo, at least not yet. Lavastida is a converted infielder so he needs more time. Jury out on him too but he, unlike Bo, impressed last year.
Cleveland hasn’t prioritized offense at Catcher the last several years. I don’t see that changing under the current regime.
Cleveland hasn’t prioritized offense at any position except 3rd base. Dolans suck as owners.
Dolan knows any kinda offensive skills behind the plate are far too expensive. You can always pick up a glove only C for a pittance, hence the signing of Maille.
you missed the point on Naylor. Cleveland prefers catchers who can’t hit.
The kid is doing what he can to fill Clevelands style. not hitting moves him up the ladder. A catcher who can also hit is too costly.
Cleveland in the MLB and Washington in the NFL should trade names.
Anyway, low risk signing.
Low risk? More like low ceiling and his contract is guaranteed.
To pay his $900k salary Cleveland is gonna have to raise hot dog prices tenfold at their ballpark now. Devastating.
The minimum salary disproportionately affects the Clevelanders since everyone on the team gets paid league minimum.
We are on the board boys!
open the champagne bottles.
TRiBE iS iN iT TO WiN iT
Win what, the bottom feeder award?
Really moving the needle with this one. Was hoping they’d have gone back to the Padres on another deal and got a catcher like Caratini as they have depth.
This is a team that freaked out when the minimum contract went from 590k to 710k with most of the roster getting an instant raise.
That .300 BA last year makes Maile look like Johnny Bench compared to the Other Cleveland Catchers…
In a handful of AB’s.
Better than signing what is left of Kurt Suzuki.
Anyone remember Valmy Thomas? Anyway are there any trade rumors?
*SPIDERS
Super weird how they keep misspelling Indians.
Super weird how grown adults can’t get over a team name change.
It’s not the name change, it’s just that the name is so bad
Agreed. That’s why I will continue to call them *SPIDERS.
The name change to the Wizards and Titans were both bad, but in time people got used to it. Frankly, I don’t like the name or much less the logo, but can’t seem to find the need to constantly go online and complain about it.
I’m going on the record…this will put us over the top. Wait, what? Oh this isn’t the Eastern League thread? My bad I thought this was a AA thread. Sorry.