Pirates Reportedly Sign Catcher John Ryan Murphy

Just one day after turning on their "offseason moves" faucet for the first time in 2019-20, the Pittsburgh Pirates are making changes once again, as the team has agreed to a minor league deal with catcher John Ryan Murphy.

Murphy, a prototypical backup catcher, will likely compete for time behind the plate with Jacob Stallings and Luke Maile, without a bonafide starter amongst them.

Murphy spent most of last season as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, eventually logging just one at-bat with the Atlanta Braves after being traded to them for cash considerations on July 31.

With the addition of Murphy, the Pirates are staying busy by taking chances on platoon-level players with big league experience, following the team's signing of Guillermo Heredia on Thursday.

While neither Murphy nor Heredia are expected to be world beaters by any means, they can both provide a steadying veteran presence for this young Pirates team. With a bit of uncertainty surrounding the catcher position in Pittsburgh, Murphy could have a chance to emerge in a platoon role for the Pirates. That is, if he is able to harness the abilities that once made him one of the Yankees top prospects.