Newly acquired Detroit Tigers catcher Tucker Barnhart is mostly recognized for winning a pair of Gold Glove awards with the Cincinnati Reds.
The 30-year-old was the best defensive catcher available this winter, and instead of waiting to bid on him in free agency, Tigers general manager Al Avila jumped at an opportunity to make a trade. He completed the deal Wednesday, sending minor-league infielder (and 2019 second-round pick) Nick Quintana to the Reds and picking up Barnhart's option for 2022.
"Coming into this offseason, we knew that catcher was a priority position for us," Avila said Wednesday.