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Former Cincinnati Reds' Gold Glover Signs Deal with National League Contender
USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed former Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart to a minor league deal.

He'll look to make the team out of spring training.

Per Robert Murray of Fansided:

Source: Free-agent catcher Tucker Barnhart is signing a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes an invite to spring training.

The 32-year-old Barnhart has spent parts of 10 years in the big leagues with the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. He was the primary catcher for Cincinnati from 2016-2021, winning Gold Glove honors in 2017 and the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Never much offensively, he's a lifetime .243 hitter with 53 home runs. His best year offensively came in 2017 when he hit .270. He has failed to hit even .250 since that year.

If he's able to stick in Arizona, he'll get the opportunity to work with a pitching staff that took the D'Backs to the World Series last year. Cy Young finalist Zac Gallen, youngster Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez help make up an exciting rotation, along with veteran Merrill Kelly.

As for the Reds, they have moved on to a catching group that includes Luke Maile and Tyler Stephenson.

Cincinnati went 82-80 last season and missed the playoffs in the final week of the season. Entering 2024, they'll be one of the most exciting teams in all of baseball, armed with a bevy of young pitchers and a collection of great prospect position players.

They last made the playoffs during that pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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