The Marlins have released veteran catcher Curt Casali, reports Daniel Alvarez Montes of El Extra Base. He was informed over the weekend that he wouldn’t make Miami’s roster but was said to be weighing an opt-out in his contract — presumably versus heading to Triple-A with the Marlins organization. It seems he opted for the former and will now head back to the open market in search of a new opportunity. The Fish will start the season with Christian Bethancourt and Nick Fortes as their catching tandem.
The 35-year-old Casali has batted .201/.311/.315 over the past three big league seasons — a 78 wRC+ in 503 plate appearances. He also had a rough showing in camp with the Marlins, going just 1-for-17 with a double. He drew a pair of walks and only fanned twice in 19 trips to the plate, but it’s easy to see why the Marlins went another direction.
From 2017-20, Casali was a solid hitter, turning in a combined .262/.348/.444 line in 498 plate appearances between the Rays and Reds. That marked the most productive stretch of his career. Now in his mid-30s and coming off three straight sub-par seasons at the plate, Casali can’t necessarily be expected to replicate that level of production.
Defensively, Casali remains sound. He posted a 32% caught-stealing rate (6-for-19) that was well above the league average in a 2023 season that saw stolen bases spike due to new rules limiting attempted pickoffs and slightly increasing the size of the bases. Statcast pegged Casali as above-average in terms of blocking pitches in the dirt last year, and Defensive Runs Saved credited him as a positive defender as well (+3). He drew only slightly below-average marks for his framing skills as well.
Time to go home and be a family man.
Soon to be a Ray.
Ray Charles.
.201/.311/.315 ain’t seeing pitched ball all that good.
Hit the road, Curt.
I’ll take him over alex jackson. kinda surprised Mejia did not stick longer this spring. but please, no jackson.
Bethancourt has had a truly impressive career.
I enjoyed watching him with Cincy. Always thought he was underrated. In 2019 he had 32 RBIs on something like 54 hits on the season. Plated big in the moment. I wish him the best.
Hope he comes back to the organization as a coach or manager. I think he would be great at it.
I liked him too as a Reds fan. I liked the combination of him and Barnhardt 5 years ago catching – but unfortunately I think both of them are done. I would also love to see both of them back with the Reds in a different role.
He’ll be unemployed for a day
Definitely a better option for backup catcher than Severn for the Jays.
Under-rated defensive catcher.
2021 Giants went 33-8 with Casali behind the plate. He also caught 5 straight shutouts that year.
He should find a spot somewhere if he still wants to play.
Surprised story didn’t mention his tenure with the Giants.
He was a longshot. Good luck to him.