SF Giants let go of veteran catcher after finalizing 2026 Opening Day roster

When the SF Giants published the Opening Day roster, it showed that Daniel Susac beat out Eric Haase for backup catcher. The veteran backstop is now no longer with the organization, as he was released, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants let go of veteran catcher after finalizing 2026 Opening Day roster

At one point during the spring, Tony Vitello was asked about what he looked for in a backup catcher. He replied with defense. Haase, Susac, and Jesús Rodríguez were the primary players in camp competing for backup catcher.

However, Haase profiled more as a bat-first catcher and Rodríguez's defense is still a work in progress. If Vitello prioritizes defense for this role, then Susac had the edge. It helps that he put up a solid .936 OPS with two home runs and five RBI in 44 plate appearances. While the Giants would be excited to see that carry over into the regular season, anything he produces with the bat is a bonus.

On the other hand, Haase is now a free agent after being released. He joined the Giants on a minor league deal. This included a camp invite. The veteran bat has had some success at the major league level. This includes putting up a .745 OPS with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in 381 plate appearances with the Detroit Tigers in 2021.

Across eight major league seasons, Haase has slashed .228/.278/.396 (85 wRC+) with a 6.2 percent walk rate, 30.7 percent strikeout rate, and .169 ISO. He hits with power, but it comes with a low on-base percentage and a high strikeout rate. In particular, the high strikeout rate would be a tough fit for a front office that is now prioritizing contact.

That said, the 33-year-old backstop has a good bit of experience behind the plate. The Sacramento River Cats are set to begin their season later this week. That roster should include Jesús Rodríguez and Logan Porter at catcher. Thomas Gavello and Adrián Sugastey could be in the mix as well.

There might not be a true, everyday catcher in the mix. Rodríguez and Porter have served as multi-positional catchers throughout their respective careers. The Giants are hopeful that Rodríguez can improve defensively with more experience. There is a pathway for him to get a lot of playing time behind the plate with Sacramento. That said, the Giants used him all around the field in spring training, which could be a sign that they view him as more of an emergency catcher rather than a backup. With Haase no longer in the organization, Sacramento may need Rodríguezto assume a larger share of the playing time behind the plate.