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The Phillies and catcher Cameron Rupp have reportedly agreed to a deal for the 2018 season, avoiding arbitration.
Phillies have avoided arbitration with catcher Cameron Rupp. It’s a one-year, $2.05 million deal, according to a source.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) January 10, 2018
The 29-year-old Rupp, who just finished his third full season catching at the Major League level, posted a .716 OPS with 14 home runs in 331 plate appearances in 2017. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time, and potentially remains under team control through the 2020 season. He has a .705 career OPS, and 39 homers in 1,127 PA.
The Phillies currently have three viable Major League catchers - Rupp, Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp - from which to choose, in addition to depth players like Logan Moore and Eric Fryer. Rupp, for his part, still has two minor league option years to his name, while Knapp has three, according to RosterResource. Alfaro is out of options and would need to clear waivers before being optioned, also according to RosterResource.
It remains entirely possible that the Phillies will carry all three catchers into 2018, even if that means one of them starts the year with the IronPigs. Catching is an incredibly tough and taxing position, and extra depth is never a bad thing. For now, Rupp is set to collect his first big raise as a Major Leaguer.