Inside The Phillies

Report: Philadelphia Phillies Sign Veteran Catcher

The Philadelphia Phillies have inked a new deal with veteran catcher John Hicks.

Kade Kistner

Report: Philadelphia Phillies Sign Veteran Catcher
Report: Philadelphia Phillies Sign Veteran Catcher /
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The Philadelphia Phillies have made a move in free agency, as they have reportedly signed veteran catcher and first baseman John Hicks to a minor league deal. 

According to Baseball America's Chris Hilburne-Trenkle, the Phillies inked Hicks to the deal on Wednesday. 

Hicks isn't a flashy move, but he could be invited to Major League spring training camps. Over the course of different parts of six seasons in the MLB, Hicks has slashed .236/.279/.401. 

He isn't viewed as someone who will supplant anyone at their current positions, as J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs have the catcher position locked down. Likewise, Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall are entrenched at first base.

However, Hicks is a depth move that could provide some insurance if any of the four mentioned above go down with injury. Additionally, he will be able to serve as a mentor in spring training and potentially the minor leagues as he has significant time at the Major League level.

He served a similar role with the Chicago Cubs last season after signing a deal but never seeing time with the MLB club.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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