The SF Giants camp competition for the backup catcher role is beginning to take shape

The SF Giants have added some competition for backup catcher. According to Jon Morosi of The MLB Network, former Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers catcher Eric Haase has joined San Francisco on a minor league deal.

The SF Giants camp competition for the backup catcher role is beginning to take shape

Morosi adds that the deal includes a camp invite. Haase's deal is for $1.6 million if he makes the club, and he will have an opt-out at the end of spring training.

The veteran backstop spent the past two seasons with the Brewers. However, he was sent outright to Triple-A midway through the 2025 season. Haase elected free agency at the end of the season.

The Haase addition gives the Giants a little more experience in the camp battle for backup catcher behind Patrick Bailey. Daniel Susac was added through a trade with the Minnesota Twins. He was a Rule 5 pick by the Twins in December, and that status is still in effect. If he does not make the team, then he will need to be returned to the A's.

Haase, Susac, and Jesús Rodríguez will likely be competing in spring training to make the Opening Day roster. The Giants also reunited with Logan Porter. Porter is a multi-positional catcher, but will likely serve as a depth option in Triple-A.

The Giants are seemingly stacking right-handed-hitting catchers to pair with Patrick Bailey. Bailey is not a strong hitter from either side of the plate, but the left side is his natural swing.

Bailey posted a .566 OPS with one home run and 15 RBI in 121 plate appearances against left-handed pitching in 2025. His lone home run was a walk-off grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers in September. If you are going to hit one home run, that is a memorable way to do it.

Despite Bailey's prolonged offensive struggles, he is still an elite defense catcher and will see the bulk of the playing time. At the very least, the Giants want to limit his exposure against left-handed pitching.

Haase is a veteran bat with a career .725 OPS against southpaw pitchers. He also has some power upside, as he clubbed 22 home runs for the Tigers in 2021. That said, he is more of a bat-first catcher, and teams make a defensive tradeoff when he is behind the dish.

Susac is a well-rounded defensive catcher. He posted an .832 OPS with 18 home runs and 68 RBI in 407 plate appearances in Triple-A last season. These are solid numbers, but in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He should give the Giants quality defense, with the ability to hit a few home runs.

Lastly, Jesús Rodríguez will get a chance to compete for a role on the bench. He currently occupies a spot on the 40-man roster. The Giants acquired him in the trade that sent Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees.

Rodríguez has experience at first base, third base, and catcher. He is still relatively green with experience behind the plate, but the Giants are hopeful that he can grow into the position with more reps. Rodríguez has above-average contact skills with the ability to regularly barrel up pitches. A lot of his contact goes to right field, which limits his power. His offensive value will likely be tied to his batting average. The Giants have aimed to add more contact to the lineup, and Rodríguez checks that box.