Derek Norris, Rays Agree to Contract After 2 Seasons with Padres

Veteran catcher Derek Norris reportedly agreed to a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, Norris chose the Rays over four other teams due to the playing time he is likely to receive. Robert Murray of FanRag Sports confirmed the move.

The Washington Nationals acquired Norris in a trade with the San Diego Padres in December, but they recently released him following the signing of catcher Matt Wieters.

Norris will join another former Nats catcher in Tampa Bay, Wilson Ramos.

The Rays signed Ramos to a two-year deal this offseason, but he tore his ACL last season. He isn't expected to play until July and catch until August at the earliest, per MLB.com's Bill Chastain.

Norris is coming off his worst MLB season as a full-time player, hitting just .186 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI with the Padres in 2016.

He hit .250 with 14 homers and a career-high 62 RBI one season earlier, and in 2014 with the Oakland Athletics he was named to his first All-Star team by virtue of a .270 batting average with 10 home runs and 55 RBI.

Despite his struggles last season, Norris represents an upgrade for Tampa, as it was previously set to enter 2017 with the inexperienced combination of Luke Maile and Curt Casali behind the plate.