The Jarrod Saltalamacchia era in Miami is already over. The Marlins designated the veteran catcher for assignment today, less than halfway through a three-year, $21 million contract signed last offseason.
#Marlins C Jarrod Saltalamacchia reinstated from paternity list and designated for assignment.
— Juan C. Rodriguez (@JCRMarlinsbeat) April 27, 2015
The 29-year old Saltalamacchia (who turns 30 on Saturday) was a disappointment in 2014, his first year in south Florida. Over 114 games, he hit .220/.320/.362 with 11 homers and striking out a career-high 143 times. He was off to a slow start through nine games in 2015, slashing .069/.182/.207 with 12 strikeouts and one home run. Miami placed him on the paternity list over the weekend, and dropped the hammer with the DFA today.
Given the lack of solid catching depth across the league, a team could have use for Saltalamacchia (especially since he’d come at the league minimum over the next two seasons). Though Saltalamacchia is over to a slow start, catchers as a whole this year are hitting a paltry .219/.292/.337. You mean to tell me he won’t be able to get a job? Please.
This move also opens the door for prospect J.T. Realmuto to take the every day job behind the plate. In 11 games in the majors this season, the 24-year old has hit .265/.278/.382. In 97 games with AA Jacksonville in 2014, Realmuto hit .299/.369/.461 with eight homers and (shockingly) 18 stolen bases. He was almost unanimously labeled as the organization’s second-best prospect behind 2014 first-round pick Tyler Kolek.
