Now in the mix for a catcher after moving Joe Mauer to first base, the Twins could pursue free agent Jarrod Saltalamacchia, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. He suggests Salty could fetch a three-year deal in the $30 million range, which is in the Twins’ affordability range. They currently have $46 million committed to six players after opening up the 2013 season at $86 million.
Saltalamacchia is coming off of his best season, a tremendous improvement over 2012. He increased his batting average and on-base percentage by about 50 points each, and some felt his defense took a step forward as well. As he turns 29 years old in May, signing him to a three-year pact wouldn’t be as much of a risk as the Yankees signing Brian McCann for five years, as an example.
