The Giants are in agreement with catcher Eric Haase on a minor league contract, reports Jon Morosi of The MLB Network. The Warner Sports Management client would lock in a $1.6MM base salary if he breaks camp and can opt out at the end of Spring Training if he’s not on the MLB roster.
Haase finished last season in Triple-A with the Brewers. He spent the first half of the season on the big league roster as William Contreras’ backup. Milwaukee acquired Danny Jansen in a deadline trade and pushed Haase to Triple-A. He cleared waivers and appeared in 19 minor league contests. He elected free agency at the end of the year.
The 33-year-old Haase has played parts of eight seasons in the big leagues. He had a two-year run as a #1 option with his hometown Tigers from 2021-22. Haase has otherwise mostly been a backup and combined for 60 appearances with the Brewers over the last two seasons. He has some right-handed power but has plenty of swing and miss. Haase has fanned at a 31% clip while hitting .228/.278/.396 in just under 400 big league contests. He’s regarded as a fringe defender behind the dish. Haase has a plus arm but hasn’t graded highly as a receiver, either framing or blocking balls in the dirt.
Two-time Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey will get the majority of playing time behind the dish. The Giants were lacking in experience behind the defensive stalwart. Rule 5 pick Daniel Susac and prospect Jesus Rodriguez, neither of whom has played in MLB, are the other catchers on the 40-man roster. Logan Porter was their only non-roster catcher with any big league experience. He’s an organizational depth type who has played in 16 career games.
Rodriguez, whom the Giants acquired from the Yankees in the Camilo Doval deadline deal, is coming off a .307/.393/.403 showing in the upper minors. The Giants had him travel with the MLB team as a member of the taxi squad in the final week of the ’25 season. They’ll give serious consideration to allowing him to make the team. He has two options remaining and could be sent back to the minors. The Giants don’t have that luxury with Susac, who needs to stick on the MLB roster or be offered back to the A’s. The former first-round pick is coming off a .275/.349/.483 showing in an extremely hitter-friendly setting in Triple-A.
Another catcher .. oh Buster
Probably doesn’t like a youngster in the backup role.
Sounds like they will need to keep Susac in that role, or risk losing him. Haase will be needed in ST, and to provide some competition for the two youngsters. Doubt he makes the roster if the kids stay healthy. Jesus probably sticks with Porter In AAA.
That depends on how highly they value Susac. They kept Sabol on the ML roster all season when he was a rule 5 pick, but it seemed to handcuff their roster moves somewhat. His value for that turned out to be bringing back some some bonus pool space in trade. Most rule 5 guys get returned, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Susac get sent back.
I do like the way Rodriguez looks. If he does well in AAA while Susac plays decent backup all the better. Sabol did become a roster liability towards the end, but did have some good games. It may have went better if they realized sooner that catching really wasn’t his strong point.
Minor League depth. There isn’t a lot there behind Rodriguez.
Yeah I assume that if susac doesn’t fall on his face he is the assumed backup
Haase another low risk minor league transaction
It’s def time for an impact player(s). Give Vitello players he needs to be successful & contend for NL West & playoffs
Minor risk, sure, but of any value? Not if you read the stats and reports.
Destined to finish around .500. Locked into 4th place this offseason.
Just curious, not trying to be argumentative, but why do you think AZ will do better than the Giants? You’re not the only that believes that, but I don’t not see it. Sure, their signing of Merrill Kelly is a big plus, but they had him for most of last season. They were about equal with the Giants last season, and right now they basically have that same team, minus Naylor, Suarez, and Gallen. Not sure why people see them improving greatly on their 80-82 record in 2025.
both teams are destined for mediocrity both will fight hard for 78-81 wins. In a sense Arizona may fall below giants but their minor league depth coming up has more volume than Giants that can enhance Arizona more. I know Giants have eldridge but after him there is bare cupboard that is close to mlb level.
I would disagree a little in the cupboard being bare after Eldridge. They aren’t stacked but do have a lot of pitching from which a solid piece or two might emerge. Fangraphs has their farm systems ranked together at 14th (AZ) and 15th (SF). Plus the Giants are deeper in pitching prospects than AZ.
That isn’t true, there is a ton but you are probably looking at most of it in 2027 or later. Guys like josuar and davison among others on the position side and a ton of arms in a and aa that jumped out last year. On top of that they are likely to get the top international free agent prospect again this year. Guys like parks harber and blade tidwell you will probably see this year too
Making 4th Place Memories.
RSH. I think the Giants will be close to San Diego and battling for 2nd place with them for most of the year. Don’t get me wrong. I think the Padres torched us last year and it will be very tough to keep up with them this year. Been a Giants diehard since 1964 and for some reason I think the Giants are going to have a good year. I too am excited for the season to begin.
Nice to read some optimism. I cautiously am too, but still hoping for an impact player to be added/traded for and for a breakout year from Eldridge. Not sure which one is more likely. Fingers crossed for both!
I hope so too. Sure would be a fun season to watch!