Pirates Sign Ex-Blue Jays Backup Catcher Luke Maile

In a highly predictable Pittsburgh Pirates offseason move, the team is bringing in some depth behind the plate.

In an unpredictable deviation from the norm, it's young depth!

Ex-Blue Jays catcher Luke Maile is heading to Pittsburgh, hoping to find his footing with a new organization.

Maile's pitch framing is known to be superior, and his best offensive season came in 2018, when he hit .248 with a trio of homers in part-time duty in Toronto. Before his stint in Canada, the 28-year-old Maile was a Tampa Bay Ray, well-versed in the AL East up until this point.

There's plenty of opportunity in the 'Burgh, though, with the immortal Jacob Stallings currently the only catcher on the 40-man roster. Nothing about Maile's career screams "starter" at this point, the way recently-promoted backup Austin Romine's just might, but...frankly, there's a wide window open for increased competition. There's a reason they want a top catching prospect for Starling Marte, after all.

Of course, some in Toronto have taken it harder than others.

Dang. That stings.