Source: FanGraphs
After a breakout 3.4 bWAR season in 2017, it sure looked like the Reds had their catcher for the foreseeable future in Tucker Barnhart. He won the 2017 National League Gold Glove award at the position at season’s end and, prior to the 2018 season, the Reds rewarded him with a guaranteed contract worth four years and 16 million dollars with a fifth year team option valued at seven and a half million dollars.
In the world of Big Baseball Salaries, it’s not a lot, but a quick glance around the league the past two offseasons shows a lot of uncertain contract situations for the not-a-stars, and especially less certainty for guys on the fringes.