The Giants signed catcher Andrew Knapp to a major league contract. Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic first observed (on X) that the switch-hitting backstop was in tonight’s starting lineup. San Francisco designated Jakson Reetz for assignment to create a 40-man opening. Knapp, an Apex Baseball client, reaches the majors for the first time this season.
Knapp had been in Triple-A with the Rangers. He signed an offseason minor league deal, opted out at the start of July, then returned to Texas on a new non-roster pact around the All-Star Break. The Rangers granted him his release yesterday, presumably in tandem with his agreement with San Francisco. He didn’t get a look in Texas despite a strong .294/.383/.457 slash in 345 Triple-A plate appearances.
While the Rangers haven’t gotten much production out of the catching position, Jonah Heim was an All-Star last season. Texas moved on from struggling backup Andrew Knizner when they acquired Carson Kelly at the deadline. Barring injury, Knapp probably wasn’t going to get a look there. The Giants had more room for a short-term option after losing Patrick Bailey to the injured list this week. Bailey is battling what seems to be a low-severity oblique strain.
Knapp, 32, played in three games for the Giants two seasons ago. That marked his most recent MLB action. He has spent the past couple seasons bouncing around the Triple-A level. A Berkeley product and former second-round pick by the Phillies, Knapp is a career .209/.310/.313 hitter in 873 big league plate appearances. He’ll back up Curt Casali for the time being.
It’s possible his stay on the roster will be brief. Bailey could return right around when he’s first eligible on August 29. That’d give San Francisco three catchers and presumably force them to choose between retaining Casali or Knapp as the backup.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier in the week that the Giants had some interest in former All-Star Elias Díaz, whom the Rockies released a week ago. Bailey’s presumed forthcoming return apparently took that off the table. Slusser wrote this afternoon that Díaz declined to pursue the opportunity when the Giants indicated they couldn’t commit to keeping him on the roster beyond Bailey’s return date.
That’s understandable on Díaz’s part. The Rockies are on the hook for his $6MM salary while he’s a free agent. He’d need to be in an organization by September 1 to be eligible for postseason play. If he signed with the Giants for a week and was released as the corresponding move for a Bailey reinstatement on August 29, he’d have very little time to find another landing spot that could allow him to play in October. A short-term stint is much more appealing for Knapp, who had been on a minor league salary with Texas and has ties to the Bay Area.
San Francisco designates Reetz for the second time this season. He has appeared in six MLB games for them this year and played in two games with the 2021 Nationals. The former third-round pick has hit .254/.368/.431 over 58 games with Triple-A Sacramento. He’ll go on waivers in the next few days and would be able to elect free agency if he goes unclaimed.
This is fantastic we really need more nobodies on this team that can help us insure we finish at .500. Thanks Farhan!
Yes, it’s more shuffling the deck chairs but Knapp offers a slightly better bat than Reetz, and it’s short term
So, just who was Zaidi supposed to sign or acquire, that would move the needle?
I would take .500 looking at this schedule.
I bet SF wishes that they had never released Joey Bart
Joey Bart is a terrible defensive catcher. Why would we want a bad defensive catcher who can hit sometimes. He had plenty of opportunities to prove he belongs and he never took advantage of it.
He’s definitely not terrible defensively, I’d say average with flashes above average. I also wouldn’t exactly call 162 major league games over 4 years plenty. There’s a reason they’ve had a few young guys break out this year
He’s still better than weak hitting Knapp
I bet the Giants wish they never signed Murphy- that caused them to release Bart since he had no options remaining.
Not to mention Roberto Perez.
They probably don’t, considering they traded him
I bet SF wishes that they had never let the lights go out in the city
I bet SF wishes that had never built this city on rock and roll
TheMan 3 — No, I don’t think so. I’m happy for Bart but he was a 100% bust in SF.
I really don’t care what you think. How do you like them apples?
Bart was not released. He was traded for Austin Strickland.
either way, SF didn’t want him
by the way, Bart threw out a base runner trying to steal a base last night
Bart breaking out was a total surprise. He gave no indication that he was going to figure it out. Had SF held on to him and he continued to struggle, the criticisms would be the same, but from the opposite stance.
Bart’s overrated. Prefer muni
Dog doys of August. Frisco team decided it was time for a Knapp
“Frisco” is a town in Colorado.
Texas
IT IS BOTH! IT IS BOTH! IT IS BOTH! IT’S BOTH!
Right? Now I won’t be able to get that out of my noggin
Good, anyone was going to be better than Reetz. That is not a major leaguer under any circumstances
Weird. They Knapped Reetz so they could later Knapp Knapp. Completely unnecessary moves there
You saying The JD Vance of moves?
It’s all a bit ominous for those hoping for a quick Bailey return.
Bailey might have to catch only 4 or so times a week so he can stay healthy and productive.