Phillies Sign Catcher Nieves

Update, December 5, 4:48 PM: Nieves will receive $1.25 million in guaranteed money with a possible $500k in performance incentives on a one-year Major League contract according to Jon Heyman.

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December 3, 2013, 8:17 PM

Wil Nieves is headed to the phillies. solid backup catcher type.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 4, 2013

The Phillies have answered the Marlins signing of Jarrod Saltalamacchia by signing… back-up catcher Will Nieves. There is no news yet as to whether or not Nieves deal is a Major League deal. Nieves will turn 37 in September 2014 and has a career triple slash line of .242/.283/.314. Nieves has been an average defender and hit .297/.320/.369 last season.

Analysis: Assuredly with a pulse on the needs of the Phillies, Ruben Amaro managed to sign a back-up to the only position where they already have a cheap, reliable back-up in place. Kratz’s career .220/.281/.407 line is comparable in on-base ability and is significantly better in power. This move makes no sense if it is a Major League deal and only slightly more if it is a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.