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.
Awesome! Let’s go boys only a few more scrubs to let go. Melacon/okert/Solano/ramos
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.
Why do you want to get rid of Ramos?
Ramos as in Helios? lol dude is in A ball
He means Henry. Heliot’s older brother who’s in camp on a non roster invite
Didn’t see that coming. Seemed like he had the backup job sewn up.
Why? They have Garcia and voght who has been hitting well all spring.
Because Garcia has options left.
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.
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.
parra for sure but they may want to keep joe on the active over the other 2
Joyce is on the braves.
Joyce was released, Braves already signed him
Go get him Cubs!!!
Yes! My first thought as well.
I’d Bring back Rivera in a Heartbeat if I were the Mets … works very well with the Pitching staff especially Syndergaard
I’d bring anyone back other than Darnaud.
Agreed 100%. Stash in Syracuse if D’arnaud is actually healthy.
He would be a good fit for the Astros.
So Voght or Garcia won the backup job?
Garcia is the backup for now. Vogt sent to AAA
garcia and vogt have both had nice showings in spring
Any thoughts about making him a closer?
Vogt went to AAA because he needs to Rehab the Shoulder then he’ll be back
……And they plan on 3-Catchers
Cubs
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.