With the MLB Trade Deadline five days away, the Yankees are making (minor) moves. Earlier today, the team acquired catcher Rob Brantly from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. The club assigned him to the alternate site at Scranton.
Brantly, 31, has played in parts of six seasons with four different teams. He primarily served as a backup catcher for the Marlins between 2012-2013. He also caught for the White Sox and Phillies. As a career .228/.292/.330 hitter with seven home runs (71 wRC+), Nichols Law of Catcher Defense says he ought to have a reputation as a solid defensive backstop. Eh, that’s kind of true, as Steve Adams notes he has a 28% caught-stealing rate, but also poor framing numbers.
The Giants designated Brantly for assignment back on July 28. With Chris Iannetta retired, and Josh Thole traveling with the team as part of the taxi-squad, this seems like a depth move. You can never have too much catching depth, I suppose.