Veteran catcher Brian Esposito, who has spent the previous three seasons with the Houston Astros organization, agreed to a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night.
The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training, according to a source.
Esposito, 32, hit a combined .197 with 11 RBI over 54 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Corpus Christi last season.
He spent a few days with the Astros at the major league level this past June, but never had an opportunity to make a plate appearance.
Esposito was granted free agency in October.
The veteran catcher brings a coaching mentality to the field and has a stellar reputation for being able to help develop young arms.
Plus, he effectively writes and teaches scouting reports.
With Cincinnati losing free-agent catcher Ramon Hernandez to a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Colorado Rockies this offseason, the club was looking to add depth behind the plate alongside projected starter Devin Mesoraco and Ryan Hanigan.
Esposito has a solid relationship with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who held the same position with the St. Louis Cardinals during the catcher's two seasons (2006-07) with the organization.
He'll be expected to help mold the young arms in Cincinnati.
"I'll be in camp with a shot at making the ballclub," Esposito said. "It is a great opportunity. I know Walt [Jocketty] well. I have a good relationship with Scott Rolen, Miguel Cairo and Brandon Phillips.
"They all played a good role in getting me there."
Esposito has played in three career games at the big league level with the Cardinals (2007) and Astros (2010-11) and is a 12-season veteran at the minor league level with six different organizations.
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