Phillies sign Eric Fryer to minor-league contract with invite to spring training

According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Phillies have signed catcher Eric Fryer to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.

The Phillies added to their catching depth Monday night, reportedly signing catcher Eric Fryer. According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, Fryer signed a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.

Philadelphia would be Fryer’s sixth organization of his career. He was drafted in the 10th round of the 2007 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He was traded to the Yankees and then to the Pirates in 2009. He made 16 major-league appearances with Pittsburgh between 2011 and 2012 before being granted free agency.

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Fryer then signed with the Twins appearing in 49 games with them over three years. In that span, he had a .236/.323/.355 line with two home runs and 11 runs batted in. He was released again at the end of 2015, signing with the Cardinals. He was waived mid-2016 by St. Louis, heading back to Pittsburgh for the rest of the season before hitting free agency yet again.

Fryer signed with the Cardinals again prior to the 2017 season.

He played 34 games with them, hitting just .155 with a .474 OPS (29 OPS+). He was released July 25 and remained a free agent until signing with Philadelphia.

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While Fryer does have an invite to major-league spring training next year, its extremely unlikely he will play for the major-league team. There is already a tough decision to make behind the plate between Andrew Knapp and Cameron Rupp. Jorge Alfaro can’t be optioned back to the minors and is expected to be the starter in 2018. Meanwhile, the team has to decide if they would rather have Rupp or Knapp as Alfaro’s backup. Fryer doesn’t fit into the equation at all.

Instead, Fryer will likely spend the year in Triple-A splitting time with Logan Moore. If Knapp or Rupp gets traded, there will be another spot on the 40-man roster for a catcher.

However, the club may not worry about adding another catcher to the 40-man until they need one as the roster is loaded as is.

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Fryer could see the majors if injury strikes behind the plate, but in all likelihood this signing is to bolster Philadelphia’s minor-league depth.