The Meinert Hops locked up their catcher spot Monday afternoon, acquiring catcher Danny Jansen (2/$2) from the Spokane Fightin' Fish for a 2023 3rd Round Pick (40th Overall).
Jansen had two month-long stints on the injured list during 2022 due to an oblique strain and a broken finger, and he finished the regular season having played in 72 games. He started behind the plate Opening Day but didn't appear to have much job security with Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno also in the mix for playing time, but Jansen produced an .855 OPS with 15 home runs and 44 RBI, and he also improved his strikeout rate nearly four percentage points. He now has a .253 ISO over the past two years, which covers a stretch of 142 contests. Kirk also delivered a strong offensive campaign with a .285/.372/.415 slash line in 139 contests while splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.
Jansen's availability is somewhat of a question mark since he's missed significant time each of the past two seasons, but when available he's hit with power. The Blue Jays sent Moreno to the Diamondbacks, though the major return piece, Daulton Varsho, can also play catcher though it appears that the focus will be on keeping him in the outfield.
That then could turn focus to Brandon Belt who is expected to be the primary DH but brings a checkered injury history to the table as well.
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