A catcher who played for the SF Giants in 2021 and 2022 is changing teams. The Miami Marlins have added experienced catcher Curt Casali to their roster on a minor league contract, according to the team’s records of transactions.

Miami Marlins sign 2021-2022 SF Giants catcher to minor league deal

Curt Casali, a former SF Giants catcher from the 2021 and 2022 seasons, is making a move as the Miami Marlins sign him to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Despite reports emerging over a week ago, the transaction log only updated on Monday.

The Marlins presently list Christian Bethancourt and Nick Fortes as their sole catchers on the 40-man roster. Bethancourt joined from the Cleveland Guardians in the offseason, while Fortes has seen playing time in three Marlins seasons. Fortes, having two minor league options left, had a modest performance last season, recording a .562 OPS with six home runs in 323 plate appearances. This leaves an opening for Casali to secure a spot on the roster during spring training.

Entering his 11th MLB season in 2024, Casali mainly played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, with brief stints at San Francisco. The Giants signed him to a major league deal in 2021, where he split catching duties with Buster Posey, contributing to the team’s impressive 42-13 record in games he started. However, his tenure with the Reds in 2023 saw struggles, managing only a .490 OPS in 96 plate appearances.

While the catcher’s offensive output may not be remarkable, it typically aligns with league averages for the position. At 35 years old, Casali aims to prolong his playing career, possibly transitioning to coaching post-retirement. Currently, his focus is on securing a roster spot with the Marlins during spring training.