The Phillies have signed catcher Ryan Hanigan to a minor-league deal, per a club announcement. Included in the deal is an invitation to MLB camp this spring. He can earn $1.25MM if he makes the major league roster, with $375K in available incentives, per SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (via Twitter). He’ll also receive a March 28th opt-out date, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets.
Hanigan hit the open market when the Red Sox declined a $3.75MM club option after the 2016 campaign. Long valued for his high-contact approach at the plate and solid defensive skills, Hanigan deteriorated in both regards in 2016 while battling injuries.
Now 36, Hanigan posted an anemic .171/.230/.238 batting line over his 113 plate appearances last year. Though he typically draws free passes as much or more than he strikes out, Hanigan uncharacteristically took just seven walks while going down on strikes 27 times. And in the field, Baseball Prospectus and StatCorner both panned his pitch framing.
[RELATED: Updated Phillies Depth Chart]
Still, it’s an easy gamble for the Phils to take. The organization is expected to utilize Cameron Rupp as the starter after his strong 2016 effort, and has several young receivers in the upper levels of the minors. Rather than rush them along, though, it can compete the reserve job between Hanigan and fellow minor-league signee Bryan Holaday.
was hoping the jays would sign him
I was thinking the same thing. I guess we’re stuck with Salty. At least he’s got more pop and switch hits. That’s something.
Salty will be an excellent backup to Martin. Especially in the Skydome. Errrrr….. The Rogers Center
Wish him the best….
Broken knuckles. Couple of concussions the last 2 years. Hannigan has had the injury issues. Not really sure how much he’s got left at this age, tho did think he did a fair job with the glove still when he was on the field, injuries and all.
Will be a great mentor for their young catchers.
Get your WS tix
That never gets old. SMH.
If this delays the service clocks on those prospects, it’s money very well spent
Phils have more $$ than Adnon Khashoggi.
Nice 1980s reference lmao
Not trying to be difficult or anything, but I wanted to just get my opinion out there on something totally unrelated to baseball in this article. If that makes this post inappropriate I apologize, and fee free to delete my comment.
I find the use of the phrase “anemic” to describe an athlete’s performance as lackluster to be somewhat unfounded and a little offensive. I understand the use of the word to be figurative and sound more eloquent, but, to me, there has to be a better way than likening it to a real medical condition that people suffer from.
Feel free to disagree, I’m not trying to say what’s right or wrong; I’m just saying it puts me off a little. Puts a damper on an otherwise very well written post that I have grown accustomed to reading on this site.
I appreciate your concern and take it seriously, but I believe the phrase does have a meaning outside of the medical context. In other words, utilizing it in that fashion isn’t the same as drawing some sort of metaphor to an illness — in which case I’d be “likening it to a real medical condition,” as you suggest. I’m glad to be educated on this if I’m incorrect.
And as a followup to my previous comment, it can also be likened to the use of the word “lame.” It’s a word that has it’s meaning derived from the state of being limbless, insinuating that those with limbs are inherently better than those without. Sure the word without the background and not being used with the intent of harming someone is totally fine, but it can be perceived as a form of micro-aggression.
man, if you are offended by ‘anemic’ and ‘lame’ then you should definitely put on earmuffs before you go outside and face the world today.
Prob a liberal lmao
Nice username
This is a well written article, as is custom with Jeff Todd’s contributions, and requires no criticism. If you are offended by the word “anemic” then I suggest you are far too easily offended. Stop expecting the world to evolve according to your sensibilities. Keep up the good work, JT.
Why don’t braves sign him he can catch a nuckle baller
Hannigan has always been a personal fav, for whatever reason, so glad he’s aboard. Lotsa’ fun catching prospects in the system and Hannigan don’t get in the way. Good signing.
As far as being offended by the word anemic…thats some thin skin yer’ sportin’. Like onion-skin thin.
Hope you have a better day tomorrow. Try not to read anything.
Agreed, all around. Love watching Hanigan call a game.
if they describe his performance as crappy then someone with diarrhea will get offended. can’t make everyone happy.
this.
I LOLd. I must not be from California.
This signing also brings forth the most epic battle my fellow Phils fans may experience this spring:
BATTLE OF THE 2016 RED SOX BACKUP CATCHERS
AKA
The Clay Buchholz popularity contest.
Game on.
Are there any credits or pay backs for the $800,000 buy out or does he get to keep it no matter how much this contract winds up paying him??
He keeps it.
So the Phils have now picked up Buchholz, Holaday and Hannigan. They might as well be Boston’s trash can at this point…