How comfortable are the SF Giants with their backup catcher in 2025?

When the SF Giants signed Tom Murphy to a two-year, $8.25 million deal, they hoped he would solidify their backup catcher role. That plan fell apart after just 38 plate appearances as he sustained a season-ending knee injury. How comfortable should the Giants be with this role in 2025?

How comfortable are the SF Giants with their backup catcher in 2025?

The Giants knew there were inherent risks as soon as the ink dried on the deal. Murphy has missed substantial time during his career and has never appeared in more than 97 games in a single season.

That last detail should be taken with a grain of salt. Backup catchers do not often play in more than 100 games in a season. However, if you look at Murphy's injury history, the fact that he missed so much time was certainly within the range of outcomes.

The Giants hoped that Murphy would provide a steady bat from the right side to pair with Patrick Bailey. While Bailey is a switch-hitter, his left-handed swing is his natural side. In this scenario, it felt like a natural pairing between the two players but it did not play out that way.

One way or the other, Murphy is under contract through next season. The Giants are not going to cut the chord after 38 plate appearances. They need to set realistic expectations about what Murphy can do if healthy. Perhaps, seeing more time at DH makes sense, especially against left-handed pitching, and it might help him stay off the injured list.

The veteran bat has slashed .258/.347/.475 in his none-year career against lefties. That is the primary reason he was signed. And, it is one way he can still help the lineup.

This all boils down to health. There is no question that Bailey is the everyday catcher in 2025 but the Giants do not have too many reliable alternatives. Murphy and Blake Sabol are the only other catchers listed on the 40-man roster. The coaching staff does not seem too motivated to use Sabol behind the plate. In fact, they often went out of their way to pursue any other option in 2025.

The Giants did add Max Stassi to a minor league deal in November. Stassi has appeared in just five rehab games since the start of 2023 due to personal and injury issues. His profile is in stark contrast to Murphy in that he is an excellent defensive catcher but does not offer much with the bat. Teams often put more weight into what a catcher can do behind the plate rather than what he does in the batter's box. That would bode well for Stassi.

Similar to Murphy, Stassi has missed considerable time in recent seasons. If healthy, he would offer a strong defensive catcher behind Bailey but there is not much recent track record to suggest that he can fill that role.

So, the Giants have the reining NL Gold Glove winner in Bailey behind the dish and a few options for the backup role. They likely do not feel great about the depth. Backup catcher is a minor role but it puts pressure on Bailey if not filled appropriately. While the hot stove has gone cold, the Giants will want to survey the minor-league market for another catcher. While Murphy or Stassi could prove to be reliable next season, it never hurts to have too many catchers.