Veteran catcher Jeff Mathis Joins Texas Rangers on a Two-Year Deal

Jeff Mathis with Diamondbacks. Photo by Peter Joneleit/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

After his contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks expired recently, veteran catcher Jeff Mathis decided not to renew it and joined Texas Rangers instead. According to The Athletic, Mathis agreed on a two-year deal with the Rangers, with the team expected to confirm the move until the end of the week.

Despite the fact that he will turn 36 in March, Jeff Mathis is still viewed as one of the top defensive catchers in the league and Rangers decided to jump on the opportunity to add him. The team found themselves without a veteran presence at catcher after declining the 2019 option on Robinson Chirinos.

Despite his premium defensive efforts, Mathis is a lousy hitter, having a career batting average of 0.198, so it is expected that he will serve in a backup role in Arlington. Rangers will either give their emerging star Isiah Kiner-Falefa more prominent role or might decide to bring in another catcher to assume the starting position.

Jeff Mathis started his professional career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005, spending seven seasons with the team. After a brief stint with Toronto Blue Jays in 2013, he went on to play for Miami Marlins and Diamondbacks.

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