The Marlins have agreed to a one-year, $2.5MM deal with veteran backstop A.J. Ellis, reports ESPN’s Buster Olney (on Twitter). Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald had just reported that the Marlins appeared to have a “good shot” at landing Ellis to be the new backup catcher in Miami, where he’ll be reunited with former manager Don Mattingly and former teammate Dee Gordon. Ellis is represented by ACES.
Ellis, 35, will serve as the primary backup to young J.T. Realmuto, who looks to be emerging as one of the better young catchers in the league. Miami has been in the market for a new reserve backstop since veteran Jeff Mathis, who has served as the backup in Miami for the past four seasons, inked a deal with the Diamondbacks last week.
Ellis posted a .216/.301/.298 line in 196 plate appearances split between the Dodgers and Phillies last season, although, of course, his calling card has always been his handling of pitchers, not his hitting. Clayton Kershaw famously loved working with Ellis, who caught Kershaw for 829 innings over the course of Ellis’ tenure with the Dodgers, which spanned parts of nine seasons. The hope in Miami, perhaps, is that Ellis can have a positive influence on Realmuto and the Marlins’ young staff.
Jansen bait.
Only a matter of time before Jansen signs now
Mets fans like myself won’t be happy with this. AJ, for some mysterious reason, always hits the Mets. Since the ’15 NLDS to his stint with the Phillies.
The mets have more to worry about. Being weak in the corner infield and up the middle center field and catcher will make the point moot.
AJ hits everybody in the playoffs.
He had flashes of being a good hitter when he took over as the every day catcher but then fell off again but always was clutch in the playoffs. He’s also great with the pitchers from what I’ve heard. That’s a nice addition for that team as back up. I will always miss seeing AJ in a Dodgers uniform. He was a fan favorite. I think it was odd the Dodgers even traded the guy when they didn’t really use Ruiz like everyone thought they would’ve and then they end up trading him to the Mariners. Just odd to me. I know they are high on Barnes but I am not sold on him. Anyways..congrats on the deal, Ellis! Wish you nothing but the best! I hope this team does good this year for Donnie boy.
Not sure why they would use a roster spot on a guy who should be coaching or mentoring. He’s terrible with the bat, regressed a lot from what was already pretty average defense..and I don’t think Jansen will care too much about a backup catcher on the roster – considering Grandal did the bulk of catching in LA recently.
If Ellis is catching the 9th inning of any game, then it’s likely to be garbage time after a blowout.
By all accounts, he still calls a good game – but that’s about it. Jansen won’t get much out of that, he only throws one pitch anyway.
I really like AJ, he was a great guy to have around in the clubhouse apparently. But he’s a pretty poor player, full stop.
Cam..I completely agree! I do not think this will make Jansen go there. If he goes there it’s because he wants to, not because of Ellis lol
These types of players are more valuable than their hitting or defense. David Ross comes to mind where he provided little to no output but won World Series with multiple teams. Sure, he wasn’t the reason why.. but Ross has intangibles you can’t quantify
Jansen is sure to follow shortly.
Ellis was the best option for the team after Mathis left.
We know what this means….. Marlins are trading for Kershaw!!!! Lol not really
Finally some actual good news for the Marlins. Really didnt like to see Mathis go, but this is a very nice replacement
I am a Dodger fan. Jansen values Ellis highly and was very unhappy to see him go (as was the rest of the team and the fan base). As someone else here noted, the trade was unnecessary. I can see this move as definitely being made to help draw Jansen. But the bottom line is that Jansen is determined to get top dollar. That is the consensus. He would like to return to the Dodgers, but if they had been so intent on keeping him, they would have extended him. $85 to $90 million for someone who throws 70 innings a year? They won’t pay it. He is as good as gone. Whoever gives him the top money is where he is going to. Ellis and Mattingly will not be the deciding factors.
What this reveals is something about the politics of baseball. Ellis was sent away I suspect as much as any reason because he was seen as being too smart and too opinionated for the comfort of management. The respect he drew from his teammates was probably also working against him. If all other things being close to equal, Jansen goes to Miami it’s really going to look like jettisoning Ellis was done for all the wrong reasons.
Ellis will be a mentor for Realmuto, Conley, the young arms in the bullpen, and the couple of young SPs the Marlins have at the upper minors. Jeff Mathis did a great job while he was here, despite dumb people that think hitting is all that matters out of that position There is a reason his catcher’s ERA was as good as it was, and the Marlins pitched better with him behind the plate.. This is independent of Jansen
Is it just me or am I the only one that thinks that the best way for the Marlins to fix their starting pitching is to get starting pitchers.
There not trying to fix there starters, cost is to high in trades and there are no elite free agent starters. There choosing to invest in the bullpen to help cover up the weakness and strengthen the pitching staff that way.
Talk about your career going downhill. Career over for aj ellis
This only tells me that Puig will not be going to Miami if he can help it.