LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers and manager AJ Hinch are serious about the creative idea of carrying three catchers for the 2022 season: Tucker Barnhart, Eric Haase and Dustin Garneau.
With Opening Day less than two weeks away, Hinch has a handful of decisions to make about his roster. The biggest choice is whether top prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene make the 28-man roster, expanded by two players for April because of the condensed spring training. If Torkelson makes the team as the everyday first baseman, the daily infield is set and likelihood of three catchers increases.
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Garneau, a 34-year-old journeyman, would be that third catcher.
“It’s nice knowing I have a role for the team,” Garneau said. “I’m not questioning what’s going to happen. I have a role. I’m working with these guys as much as I can. It takes a little bit of pressure off, but it’s puts pressure on other aspects, too, as far as performing to stay.”
In 2021, Garneau earned Hinch’s respect.
“His consistency behind the plate is really good,” said Hinch, a former MLB catcher. “I think his game-planning is excellent. Last season, he showed that he can give the prototypical good defense and homer when he doesn’t play every day, and that’s attractive. But mostly the interaction between pitching coach, manager, pitching staff — he’s exceptional.”
Garneau signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers in December 2020. He didn’t make the big-league team out of spring training and went to Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers released him on July 15, 2021.
Seven days later, Garneau signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies. But the Tigers — needing a catcher in the majors — traded for Garneau on Aug. 18.
He hit .210 with six home runs, 11 RBIs, three walks and 18 strikeouts in 20 MLB games.
The surplus of home runs was a product of working with hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh. Garneau, for the record, has just 15 homers in 160 games across parts of seven MLB seasons with six teams.
“He made a nice adjustment … where he was starting to get on plane with the ball and get the ball in the air to the pull side,” Hinch said. “He hit a bunch of homers in a short period of time, and that did open our eyes.
“As a backup-type catcher, to catch a winner and get a hit — and that hit be a homer — that’s a pretty good day’s work for that role. … He’s not an all-or-nothing homer guy, but that’s certainly a nice added dimension to his game.”
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The Tigers rewarded Garneau, who is out of minor-league options, by tendering him a contract in November. Three months later, the Tigers and Garneau agreed to a $1.175 million deal for 2022, avoiding arbitration.
Arbitration contracts are not guaranteed.
Teams can release a player on or before the 16th day of spring training and be responsible for only 30 days of pay. Players cut between the 17th and final day of spring training get compensated for 45 days of pay.
This year, because spring training was shortened due to MLB’s lockout, these dates have changed. It’s on or before March 28 for 30 days of termination pay and between March 29 and April 6 for 45 days of pay.
Garneau passed the first roadblock with ease.
“I know they value me,” Garneau said. “It’s a weird thing to say, but it’s nice to know and nice to hear from these guys: AJ, the coaching staff and the front office guys. To be valued that way, it’s really nice.”
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The three-catcher plan could work for two reasons: Garneau brings stability in his role behind the plate, and Haase could play more left field than catcher in 2022, specializing in coming off the bench against left-handed pitchers.
Hinch believes that’s the best way to maximize Haase’s strengths.
Garneau is hitting .308 (4-for-13) with two home runs, two RBIs and two strikeouts in seven spring training games. He has caught 23 innings in camp, compared to Haase’s 16 innings as a catcher.
The Tigers acquired Barnhart, a two-time Glove Glove winner, in a November trade with the Cincinnati Reds. He is the starting catcher, leaving Garneau as the traditional backup.
Nothing is official.
But Garneau appears on track to make the Opening Day roster.
“I’m actually getting a chance to be with this club, open with the club and contribute with the club,” Garneau said. “We’re going to surprise some people this year. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.