Diamondbacks, Indians agree to sign Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Carlos Marmol

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians both made some interesting minor league signings yesterday and today.

The Diamondbacks agreed to terms with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a minor league pact and the Indians are in agreement on a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher Carlos Marmol, per reports. 

Saltalamacchia will fill a void that the Diamondbacks have had throughout the offseason and into the start of the season. Diamondbacks' catchers have had horrible offensive production thus far, ranking 21st in the league in OPS and 22nd in the league in wRC+ from their catchers. 

The Marlins had released Saltalamacchia from a three-year deal just a few weeks ago after hitting .069/.182/.207 with a homer and a run batted in over 33 plate appearances, while also being a horrible defender. The Marlins still owe Saltalamacchia $7 million this year. 

In the other deal, the Indians took an interesting gamble with the signing of right-hander Carlos Marmol. The 32-year-old Marmol hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2014, when he pitched in 15 games for the Marlins to a 8.10 ERA and a 6.43 FIP.

Marmol has a great pedigree, as he saved 73 games over the course of two years for the Cubs in 2010 and 2011, with a good 3.26 ERA and a very good 2.76 FIP. Marmol has fallen off the rails since then and looks to make a comeback in the Major Leagues with the Indians. According to reports, Marmol was throwing in the mid-90s with a new arm slot in the Dominican Republic. 

The Indians bullpen thus far this year has been far from stellar, as their ERA, FIP, and xFIP all are in the middle of the pack thus far. They have looked for better results from a group that should be helping them get into the playoffs. 

--Devan Fink