The Giants have released catcher Rene Rivera from his minor league contract, as reported by several members of the Giants beat (including NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic).
Rivera and Stephen Vogt were the two veterans brought into the Giants’ camp on minor league deals to compete with Aramis Garcia for the backup role behind Buster Posey. Since Posey is recovering from hip surgery that cut his 2018 campaign short, the general consensus was that San Francisco might look for a catcher that could handle more playing time should Posey need more rest days. Instead, with Posey making good progress this spring, it seems like the Giants are comfortable using the rookie Garcia as the primary backup, as Vogt has already been assigned to Triple-A to begin the season. (Cameron Rupp was also in the Giants’ camp earlier this spring, though he has since been traded to the Tigers.)
This left Rivera as the odd man out. Unless he re-signs with the Giants on a fresh minor league deal, Rivera will now look elsewhere as he looks to embark on his 11th Major League season. Long known for his excellent framing and prowess at throwing out baserunners, Rivera has also posted decent numbers at the plate over the last two seasons — a .247/.297/.428 slash line and 14 homers over 328 PA with the Mets, Cubs, Braves, and Angels. Given his defensive reputation, Rivera seems like a good candidate to catch on with another team as clubs figure out their catching situations at the end of Spring Training.
Pickle_Britches
Awesome! Let’s go boys only a few more scrubs to let go. Melacon/okert/Solano/ramos
22jclark
Don’t see them eating $28M by releasing Melancon. Better that he struggles now. He claims his pronator issue is completely healed and hopefully he does well. Doesn’t look like he’ll open as the closer but for the $ he makes, he’ll get every opportunity to regain that spot should he get things working. Bum didn’t have a good spring either and nobody is suggesting that he be released. Takes older guys a while to get going.
SFGiants74
Why do you want to get rid of Ramos?
dandan
Ramos as in Helios? lol dude is in A ball
jrjalr
He means Henry. Heliot’s older brother who’s in camp on a non roster invite
gmenfan
Didn’t see that coming. Seemed like he had the backup job sewn up.
Pickle_Britches
Why? They have Garcia and voght who has been hitting well all spring.
Sadler
Because Garcia has options left.
pustule bosey
yeah so what are you going to do,carry like 3 catchers, 2 of which are specialized? if you keep garcia on the active as a 3rd he can serve as a utility guy since he played 1st and 2nd last year, you dont have that option with rivera and he hasnt showed enough with the arm thiis spring either. I mean for a lot of teams he could be a nice pickup but other than the pen, the other place the giants have massive depth is the catching position.
mrnatewalter
They’ve already got to clear 3 roster spots for Vincent, Solarte, and Parra. Maybe even Matt Joyce (who Bochy likes).
He had a great spring and it’s just an unfortunate scenario. Hopefully someone gives him a shot.
pustule bosey
parra for sure but they may want to keep joe on the active over the other 2
Pickle_Britches
Joyce is on the braves.
thethrill
Joyce was released, Braves already signed him
Erik
Go get him Cubs!!!
pug1419
Yes! My first thought as well.
mets1536
I’d Bring back Rivera in a Heartbeat if I were the Mets … works very well with the Pitching staff especially Syndergaard
rjtfd
I’d bring anyone back other than Darnaud.
Krane
Agreed 100%. Stash in Syracuse if D’arnaud is actually healthy.
cardsfan006
He would be a good fit for the Astros.
snotrocket
So Voght or Garcia won the backup job?
22jclark
Garcia is the backup for now. Vogt sent to AAA
pustule bosey
garcia and vogt have both had nice showings in spring
rycm131
Any thoughts about making him a closer?
imgman09
Vogt went to AAA because he needs to Rehab the Shoulder then he’ll be back
imgman09
……And they plan on 3-Catchers
CubsRebsSaints
Cubs
pasha2k
I really hope Pom does have a good yr for the Giants. He was really terrible from day one in Boston. In all fairness I think he was hurt some of the time. I wish him well.