After a long slumber this offseason, the Astros have awoken just in the nick of time.
It is being reported that the club has added free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos to their roster. The deal is for one year, pending a physical. The former Texas Rangers’ commute could very well be a short one.
Free agent catcher Robinson Chirinos (@robinson28ch), who played the last 6 years with the Rangers, says he has agreed to a one-year deal with the #Astros and will be in Houston Wednesday for a physical.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) December 4, 2018
Chirinos was declined an option by the Rangers after posting a .222/.338.419 slash line with 18 home runs and 80 hits in 426 plate appearances this past season. In his six years in Texas, Chirinos has hit .233/.338/.419 with 54 home runs and 312 hits in 1,546 plate appearances.
The move is considered insurance, as the Astros are working with 27-year-old Max Stassi, who has been with the club since after the 2012 season. In 88 games last season, Stassi hit .226/.316/.394 with eight home runs and 50 hits.
Recent backstops Brian McCann, Martin Maldonado and Evan Gattis all left the team via free agency.
It doesn’t appear that Chirinos will be the long-term starting catcher, but it is a start for an Astros team that has been depleted of significant assets.
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