Tigers close to signing Matt Treanor

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, The Tigers are close to signing non-tendered free agent Matt Treanor to a one year deal, somewhere in the range of 750,000 dollars.

Treanor will most likely back up catcher Gerald Laird, who was acqured earlier this month. The Tigers thought about acquiring Treanor via trade a month ago, but ultimately decided against it. Treanor hit .239/.306/.301 this season in 65 games and added 23 RBIs. But this move isn’t about offense. Treanor has handled one of the best young staffs in the game, including Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller, Chris Volstad, Scott Olson, and Josh Johnson.

The biggest part of this signing would be the fact that Tigers prospect Dusty Ryan will now see more seasoning at AAA Toledo. Ryan has stuggled this winter in Puerto Rico, and will get all the time to develop his swing and defensive play.

Treanor has been known to be a good defensive catcher, that calls a really good game. Treanor was with the Marlins from 1997 until this off-season. He also had off-season hip surgery this October to repair three muscle tears in his left hip. Treanor should be ready to go by spring training though. Treanor played through the injury the second half of the season.