Free-agent catcher A.J. Ellis signed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres, including an invitation to spring training. Ellis is familiar with the National League West, as he spent the first eight-plus years of his career with the Dodgers, most of them as the starting catcher. He spent 2017 as the backup backstop in Miami, and he struggled with a .210/.298/.371 line with six homers in his 51 games. Recent reports indicate that San Diego wants Luis Torrens to spend the year in the minor leagues, so Ellis will battle Rocky Gale for the right to back up Austin Hedges in the 2018 season.
Miami Marlins catcher A.J. Ellis hasn't been very good this season, but with two contending teams in desperate need of an upgrade at catcher, he's getting some play on the trade market. The Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs have both been rumored to be pursuing Ellis. The Rockies are particularly needy in the catching department as their current duo of Tony Wolters and Ryan Hanigan rank as the 74th and 83rd best pitch framers out of 85 qualifying catchers in 2017. Ellis ranks 62nd while also performing a hair better at the plate than either of the duo.
As the trade deadline enters its most exciting stretch, the Miami Marlins could be moving backup catcher A.J. Ellis, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Ellis was brought in during the offseason as a backup for starting catcher J.T. Realmuto, and the veteran Ellis has helped out whenever needed. Both of his home runs this season have come in July, a month where he's batting .304. According to Frisaro, three teams have shown interest in Ellis, including the Chicago Cubs.
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