The Pittsburgh Pirates organization just got a little deeper behind the plate, signing Jose Herrera to a minor-league contract. This move happened on the very same day the National League Central club also selected the contract of catcher Christian Bethancourt. It is clear the Pirates are shoring up their catching situation, looking for stability and options in their system.
Herrera’s History and Metrics
Herrera, who is 29, spent parts of four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2022 to 2025. During his 187 career games, he has slashed .200/.280/.259, hitting three home runs and driving in 42 RBIs. Those numbers, leading to a .539 OPS, aren’t exactly setting the league on fire, but it looks like the Pirates are valuing more than just the bat here. Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors noted that Herrera has been “exactly average at throwing out baserunners and had league-average metrics for his pitch framing and blocking.” So, a solid glove man is what they’re getting.
Shuffling the Catchers Deck in Pittsburgh
This signing comes as Pittsburgh already has Christian Bethancourt, Henry Davis, and Rafael Flores Jr. as their top three options on the active roster. Beyond those three, the organization did not have any other catchers on their 40-man roster. This lack of depth was made even more urgent after the Pirates recently lost Endy Rodriguez to hip surgery. Herrera is expected to serve as depth for Triple-A Indianapolis, providing a much-needed experienced option in their minor league system.
For the Pirates, adding Herrera on a minor league deal is all about making sure they’ve got enough talent bubbling up. With Rodriguez sidelined, they needed to find someone who could step in if injuries hit the big league club. This is a quiet, smart move to build out that organizational depth and ensure they don’t get caught short behind the plate as the season rolls on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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