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The Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement with catcher Brian Navarreto on a minor league deal that comes with an invitation to big league camp, according to Ari Alexander of Boston 7 News. Navarreto had elected free agency after being waived by the Miami Marlins at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Navarreto, who will turn 32 next month, has spent 13 years in the minor leagues and has been part of four different organizations. His only major league experience came with Miami, where he made a brief debut in 2020 and has served as a backup catcher over the past two seasons.
This year, Navarreto set career highs with 32 games and 61 plate appearances, holding a spot on the Marlins' active roster for the final three months of the season. The Puerto Rico native posted a batting line of .135/.193/.250 with one home run in limited action. His primary contribution came in the clubhouse, where he mentored rookie Joe Mack and second-year player Agustín Ramírez.
In nearly 1,000 Triple-A plate appearances across six seasons, Navarreto has a modest .232/.300/.366 slash line. While he doesn't offer a high offensive ceiling, he has built a solid defensive reputation and possesses a strong arm. This year, he threw out eight of 23 attempted basestealers, a 34.8% caught-stealing rate.
Philadelphia's catching corps was among the least productive in the majors in 2024. The team is looking to reduce J.T. Realmuto's workload, which likely necessitates a better backup option. The Phillies have already parted ways with Garrett Stubbs and still have Rafael Marchán on the roster, but Marchán is out of options and would need to clear waivers to be sent to Triple-A.
If the Phillies acquire a backup upgrade via free agency or trade, Marchán could be pushed off the 40-man roster and potentially out of the organization. Navarreto, with a full slate of minor league options, offers more roster flexibility and is likely to begin the season in Triple-A.
Key Analysis
The Phillies' signing of Navarreto is a low-risk move aimed at addressing a clear weakness behind the plate. While his offensive numbers are underwhelming, his defensive skills and clubhouse presence could prove valuable. The flexibility of his minor league options gives Philadelphia depth and options as they navigate the catching situation, especially with Marchán's roster status uncertain. This signing represents a strategic effort to bolster the backup catcher position without committing significant resources.
Originally reported by yardbarker.