Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Diamondbacks: Contract Details and Reaction

Jarrod Saltalamacchia reached an agreement Thursday to sign a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic first passed along the news, and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the impending addition. 

The Diamondbacks later announced the signing:

Saltalamacchia signed a three-year contract with the Miami Marlins before the 2014 season. He hit just .220 with 11 home runs last year, however, and the team decided to designate him for assignment after he posted an .069 average through nine games this season.  

He should eventually receive a chance to start behind the plate in Arizona. The team's starting catcher, Tuffy Gosewisch, has a .232 on-base percentage in 75 career games, and backup Jordan Pacheco, despite being a better hitter, is a lackluster defender.

Saltalamacchia doesn't represent a major upgrade, but he's enjoyed marginal success in the past, including a 25-homer campaign in 2012 with the Boston Red Sox. He should provide cheap depth at the position for the organization.

It's unclear how much time he'll need before he's ready to contribute in the majors for the D-backs.