The Tigers have struck a deal to acquire veteran backstop Cameron Rupp from the Giants, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Cash considerations will go back in return.
Rupp had signed on with the San Francisco organization in early December. He was among several competitors for a reserve job at the MLB level but evidently was not likely to earn a nod. Rene Rivera, Stephen Vogt, and Aramis Garcia are all still competing to back up Buster Posey.
It doesn’t seem particularly likely that Rupp will break camp with the Tigers, either. The team appears to be set with Grayson Greiner and John Hicks at the MLB level and already has veterans Bobby Wilson and Hector Sanchez in camp, though the deal could suggest that there’s a desire to take a look at alternatives.
Rupp has never been valued particularly for his defensive chops and doesn’t reach base at a very appealing rate. But he does have over a thousand MLB plate appearances under his belt and is a nice source of power for a backstop.
gray
So will they flip him to KC?
Sk8rboi
That prospect Loaiza got busted for cocaine…3 yrs in prison. Yanks shoulda traded him.
getright11
Prospect?
atuck_sfg
Idk too many 47 year old prospects with 14 years of MLB experience lol
srechter
I assume he thought Esteban Loaiza was the Yankees’ current young pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga. He’s not.
Long Duc Dong
He will be the first player to play on every team in the mlb ……..twice
DarkSide830
hey Royals, this couldve been you.
DarkSide830
also you missed the a in Rene Rivera Jeff
bleacherguy
While we are being picky, I think that is the first time that I have ever seen the use of “alternative options”. I only mention it because I admire the writing skill of the author.
DarkSide830
im assuming thats why it isnt linked…
antibelt
Jeff is now for mixing and misspelling Latino names. Carry on Jeff. MAGA smh
Yelsnit
Whatever you say, Snowflake
Kris Higdon
The Royals aren’t going to sign a no defense guy.
RiverCatsFilms
That’s not Nicholas Castellanos!
nuschler22
$50k is my guess. Plus some BP balls.
ScottCFA
Used BP balls, right?
Erik
Who’s Rene River??
Matt Galvin
He forgot the A.
nymetsking
When I think of Rivera, I think of the lack of “O”.
bobtillman
You guys obviously have no musical chops:
“Rene River,
That Old Man River
He Just keeps catchin’
While we are wretchin'”
Jeff Todd
I’d prefer something riffing on Moon River, if you must. A tune as serene as Rene Rivera’s pitch framing.
Thanks, everyone. Glad I could provide some unintended entertainment this evening.
BobSacamano
I’d rather have McCann instead of any two of these three.
diller1340
McCann is garbage
nymetsking
and those three aren’t?
bastros88
didn’t realize the tigers catching depth was that bad
Coast1
His career OPS vs. lefties is .879. A guy who mashes lefties like that should have a place somewhere.
Vogt83
Rupp is a solid backup catcher. He was well liked in Philly and would actually prefer him to the current backup. He should have a MLB job.
nentwigs
Surprised the Giants even signed him. They walked away from Hundley for defensive reasons.
One Bite Hotdog
From one purgatory to the next
pjsportsdude85
you can never have enough veteran catching.
bradthebluefish
Agreed.
nymetsking
Apparently the Giants can.
the guru
What are they thinking signing him? Can’t catch or hit! Ha
They’ve got the best catching prospect in minors according to bp.
SFGiants74
Bart hasn’t even completed a season at A+. You have to give him time.
gmenfan
Yeah, that’s not how it works.
Melchez
Rupp may replace Hicks. They are very similar. Offense first catchers that really aren’t all that good offensively.
Minor league depth in case someone gets hurt.
LeylandsLung
I think the plan is to use Hicks more at 1B than catcher.
Painful itch
Evan Gattis. Bring him in for a spin. Crap for defense, but dude has pop. Only catcher that would turn heads. Play him til you can’t.
GarryHarris
It appears the Tigers are loading up on veteran catchers to develop young pitching at the minor league levels.